Darts: Gary Anderson thrashes Michael van Gerwen at European Championship

Gary Anderson stormed into the European Championship quarter-finals with a dominant 10-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen.

The Scot, playing in the tournament for the first time since 2016, breezed past the four-time winner in Dortmund, Germany.

Dutchman Van Gerwen failed to score a maximum and hit only four from 14 checkout chances as Anderson prevailed with an average of 96.91.

Anderson meets Ritchie Edhouse in the last eight on Sunday, while world number one Luke Humphries will face Jermaine Wattimena.

England’s Humphries, who is enjoying a stellar year, saw off Welshman Jonny Clayton 10-3.

Van Gerwen’s compatriot Wattimena came from 5-1 down to claim a dramatic 10-9 victory over James Wade.

Wattimena checked out on 124 with a bullseye to defeat the Englishman, who earlier missed double 12 for a nine-darter.

Edhouse fought back from 4-1 behind to beat world number two Michael Smith 10-9.

Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko delighted the home fans with a 10-3 defeat of Andy Gilding, who could not build on Friday’s surprise success against Luke Littler.