• PDC World Championship betting

Van Gerwen to defend title at 13/8

Michael van Gerwen is the reigning champion at Alexandra Palace © PA Photos

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He might have looked a bit wobbly during the opening rounds, but Michael van Gerwen has returned from the Christmas break to march into the PDC World Championship semi-finals.

The reigning champion dispatched Robert Thornton in an exciting encounter on New Year's Day to set up a last-four clash with Gary Anderson at the famous Alexandra Palace.

In a high-quality clash which produced 27 180s in total, Van Gerwen was cruising through to the semis after a blistering start saw him race into a 3-0 lead. He struck maximums in all five legs of the first set before finishing things off with a 10-darter and he continued to impress as he won the next two sets.

Thornton rallied to nab the next two sets, but Van Gerwen stepped on the gas to claim a 5-2 victory and return odds of 13/8 with bet365 to defend his title.

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