Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen said Japanese debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami “made me work really hard” in his first-round win at the PDC World Championship. The 36-year-old Dutchman, who lost last year’s final to Luke Littler, fell behind early, losing a set and two legs to Tatsunami. Van Gerwen fought back to take a 2-1 lead and then edged a tense fourth set, with Tatsunami missing several chances to force a deciding set. Van Gerwen admitted his darts were off and it was tough under pressure, but praised Tatsunami’s finishing, saying the Japanese player “is not a bad player at all” and made him work hard. He will face either William O’Connor or Krzysztof Kciuk in round two.
