Michael van Gerwen back to winnings ways after edging past Luke Humphries in Belgian Open

Michael van Gerwen claimed his first European Tour title in a year after winning the Belgian Open.

Van Gerwen, who was a beaten finalist in Germany last month, overcame Luke Humphries 8-6 in the final to enter the winners' circle for the first time since winning the European Darts Open in May 2022.

Humphries finished with a higher average and threw more 180s than Van Gerwen, but it was the Dutchman who prevailed thanks to his finishing prowess, which included a 129 checkout in the decisive 11th leg.

Van Gerwen, who now moves up to number two in the world behind Michael Smith, had earlier beaten Gary Anderson before gaining semi-final revenge on Josh Rock, the Northern Irish youngster who beat him in Leeuwarden last week.

It was a second successive final defeat for Humphries, top seed in this tournament, following his defeat to Dave Chisnall in Holland seven days ago.

The 28-year-old almost made darting perfection in the seventh leg but missed double 12 on his attempt at a nine-dart finish and then had to watch Van Gerwen lift the trophy.

"It means a lot to me," said Van Gerwen, who also returns to second place on the PDC Order of Merit above Peter Wright.

"You have to defeat really good dart players - Gary Anderson, Josh Rock and in the final someone who is always good on the Euro Tour, Luke Humphries.

"I knew that if I won today I'd be above Peter Wright in the world rankings and of course that's really important.

"You always have to give 100% and that's what I do all the time. Sometimes it doesn't go your way, but I'm a fighter and I never give up, and I keep fighting until the end.

"That's what I did today and that's why I won, and it's really good for myself."

The final's opening ten legs all went with throw, with Humphries twice missing chances to break and also agonisingly missing double 12 for a nine-darter in leg six - returning to take that leg in ten darts.

Van Gerwen followed up a 129 checkout in leg ten with the first break in the next, stepping in on double 16 after Humphries missed double six.

Two further misses from Humphries were punished as Van Gerwen moved 7-5 up, and though a missed match dart allowed the world number six to keep the tie alive, his rival closed out victory on double 16.

The defeat for Humphries was his third in a European Tour final this year, having lost out twice previously to Dave Chisnall.

He edged out Belgium's Andy Baetens in a thrilling third round tie to open Sunday's action, and after seeing off Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals he survived a missed match dart from Dirk van Duijvenbode in a high-quality semi-final.

"I don't feel disappointed, I think I played well," said Humphries. "I played an A+ Michael van Gerwen and you can't make a mistake. I did in a couple of legs, I missed a dart here and there and I got punished.

"I thought I played a good game but a couple of mistakes cost me and if I'd took those finishes out I probably would have won.

"It was a closely-contested game, it was nip and tuck and he pulled out the good legs at the end. I was proud of myself the way I played, but the better player won in the end.

"Obviously, it's always disappointing to lose but I'll get that title this year soon, I'm sure. I've run into three brilliant performances in the final, but it's coming."

Van Duijvenbode was denied a spot in his second European Tour final of the year in agonising fashion, missing one match dart for a 7-5 win before Humphries took out 81 on the bull in the deciding leg.

The Dutchman had proven too clinical for Canada's Matt Campbell and Wales' Jonny Clayton earlier in the day as he secured a spot in a third semi-final of the 2023 European Tour.

Rock performed superbly in his wins over reigning champion Chisnall and World Champion Michael Smith to book his spot in a second European Tour semi-final of the year, only for Van Gerwen to avenge his loss a fortnight ago.

Scottish star Anderson was a quarter-finalist in his second event after returning to the European Tour, defeating Rob Cross in round three before losing out to Van Gerwen.

Chisnall's title defence was ended by Rock as he succumbed to a 104 average from the Northern Irish youngster in Sunday afternoon's third round, shattering the Englishman's hopes of a third European Tour win of 2023.

Luke Humphries 6-5 Andy Baetens

Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Danny Noppert

Jonny Clayton 6-3 Damon Heta

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Matt Campbell

Josh Rock 6-4 Dave Chisnall

Michael Smith 6-4 Gabriel Clemens

Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Martin Schindler

Gary Anderson 6-2 Rob Cross

Luke Humphries 6-2 Nathan Aspinall

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Jonny Clayton

Josh Rock 6-1 Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Gary Anderson

Luke Humphries 7-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Josh Rock

Michael van Gerwen 8-6 Luke Humphries