Monday 27 July 2015 10:05, UK
Michael van Gerwen has banished his painful memories from the World Matchplay after defeating James Wade in this year's final, says Wayne Mardle.
The Dutchman was reduced to tears after a crushing final defeat by Phil Taylor 12 months ago, but he dismissed any thoughts of further heartbreak during a dominant 18-12 win over Wade in Blackpool.
After lifting the trophy for the first time, Van Gerwen was nearly overcome with emotion again, and Sky Sports expert Mardle believes he deserves huge credit for his determined campaign.
That’s the great thing about sport in general. You can put things right, you have a chance, and he did exactly that.
"It's good to see when someone deserves it," he told Sky Sports.
"I know whoever was to win it would deserve it, but Michael going through the turmoil of last year and you could see him - he was getting emotional because of the memories of last year, of him being so disappointed.
"That's the great thing about sport in general. You can put things right, you have a chance, and he did exactly that."
Van Gerwen had fallen short in this year's World Championship and the Premier League, with Gary Anderson collecting both titles.
But Mardle insists 'Mighty Mike' was the stand-out performer over the nine days of the tournament.
"He is the best player in the world, he's the world No 1, he's the one dominating the majors this year away from Gary Anderson," said Mardle. "When it's not Gary, it seems to be Michael. He's played the best all week.
"There was a performance that he put in against Jamie Lewis, the 110.93 average, that was the best performance we have seen by anyone.
"Even though he said he didn't play well in the final, it was still a good performance."
Wade, the 2007 champion, could not replicate the form he showed in his semi-final win over Phil Taylor and ended with an average of just over 90.
Mardle insists that Wade can depart with plenty of pride, despite failing to push Van Gerwen in the final.
"It's got to be said that James Wade was off form tonight, he just didn't perform," said Mardle. "When he said he was quite happy to win 12 legs, he said that was probably more than he deserved.
"That's his lowest average in over five years here and he’s played around 20 matches in that time.
"For James he’ll be bitterly disappointed, like he said, but he’s reached the final. He talks himself down too much. He is one of the world’s best and he should start to remember that."
