Mike de Decker has secured his spot in his first-ever major final, defeating fellow Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-2 in a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2024 World Grand Prix. It was a historic night for Belgium, marking the first time two Belgians faced off in the semifinals of a PDC major tournament. De Decker will now await the winner of the match between Luke Humphries and Ryan Joyce to determine his opponent for Sunday’s final.
A Belgian Showdown Full of Drama
The match was a rollercoaster, with momentum shifting back and forth, but ultimately it was De Decker, known as “The Real Deal,” who took control. Van den Bergh started strong, winning the first set 3-0, but his struggles on the opening doubles proved costly.
The match’s turning point came in the second set when De Decker fought back, winning it 3-2 to even the contest. From there, he stepped up his game, claiming the next two sets 3-0 each to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the match.
Despite his best efforts, Van den Bergh was unable to maintain consistency, particularly on the opening doubles, which heavily influenced the outcome. Across the match, Van den Bergh needed 91 darts to hit the starting double in 25 legs, with a success rate of just 27%. In comparison, De Decker was far more efficient, using only 51 darts with a 49% success rate.
Tension Builds, but De Decker Stays Composed
Van den Bergh showed some fight by winning the fifth set 3-1, narrowing the gap to 3-2. However, the sixth set proved pivotal, as Van den Bergh’s struggles on the doubles resurfaced. He missed 13 opening doubles in the set, compared to just four misses from De Decker, who cruised through the set 3-0 to move within one set of victory.
With everything on the line, Van den Bergh needed to win three consecutive sets to stay in the match. He won the first leg of the seventh set, but crucially missed six darts to go ahead 2-1. De Decker took full advantage, holding his nerve to edge in front, and then sealed the match with a brilliant 13-darter to book his place in the final.
The Real Deal’s Dream Run Continues
De Decker’s remarkable run at the World Grand Prix is a breakthrough moment for the 28-year-old from Mechelen. After a string of impressive performances throughout the tournament, he now has the chance to lift his first major trophy on Sunday night.
His victory over Van den Bergh not only makes him the first Belgian to reach the World Grand Prix final, but it also confirms Belgium’s growing influence in the world of professional darts. “The Real Deal” will now have the opportunity to cap off his incredible campaign with a title, facing either Luke Humphries or Ryan Joyce in the final showdown.
Will De Decker complete his dream run and lift the World Grand Prix trophy? The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to what has already been a tournament to remember.
