GARY ANDERSON ended Michael van Gerwen's three-year reign as the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters champion with a stunning comeback from 8-4 down to win Friday's World Series of Darts final 11-9.
 
Reigning champion van Gerwen had looked on course to claim an amazing fourth successive title in the unique open-air tournament at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium when he pulled clear of the World Champion.
 
The Dutchman opened the final with a 12-darter and defied finishes of 11 and 12 darts and a 115 checkout from the Scot to move 7-4 up before punishing eight missed doubles from the World Champion to take a four-leg lead.
 
Anderson, though, fired back to level the game with the aid of back-to-back 12-darters and finishes of 68 and 76 in a run of four straight legs to level at eight-all.
 
The next two were shared to leave the scores tied at nine legs apiece before Anderson punished one miss from van Gerwen to land double 12 and lead for the first time, and a further six misses from the reigning champion proved costly in the next as double five sealed glory for the Scot.
 
"This is a brilliant win," said Anderson, who changed his darts from 23 grams to 25 grams ahead of the event to combat any air movement. "It was hard but I could see Michael tiring at the end - he took his foot off the gas a little and missed a couple of doubles.
 
"I like playing Michael - he plays my kind of game and players like Michael always make the game look good. I came back and it was a bit nip-and-tuck.
 
"This is my second time here and it's a fantastic place, and it sets me up for the rest of the World Series. Last year I came here and I didn't know what to expect, and I learned a lot - I came here with a heavier set of darts this time and they went a lot better."
 
Anderson had defeated Taylor 11-7 in their semi-final as he won through to his first decider on the World Series of Darts circuit.
 
The pair shared the opening 12 legs before the World Champion broke for the first time in the match to move 7-6 up in a run of five successive legs which helped to establish a 10-6 advantage on his way to victory with six 180s and a 55 percent checkout ratio.
 
Van Gerwen had been in brilliant form during his semi-final win over Dave Chisnall, hitting five ton-plus checkouts - including a crowd-pleasing 132 finish of two bullseyes and double 16 - a ten-dart finish and seven 180s as he averaged over 105.
 
Chisnall had played his part in a fine contest, taking out a brilliant 140 finish and hitting four 180s, only to see van Gerwen's combination finishing prove too strong - but it would be missed doubles which cost the Dutchman in the decider.
 
"I'm a bit disappointed in myself," said van Gerwen. "It was close but I've only got myself to blame and Gary was the better player tonight.
 
"I missed too many doubles and I'm gutted - I feel like I gave the game away. I missed four darts to go 9-6 in front and that was a bit of a killer for me.
 
"If you miss that many doubles you can't win, and Gary put me under pressure at the right times. Fair play to him - you can't miss against people like Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor."
 
Taylor had won through to the final a year ago, but lost out in the semis this time around as Anderson's late surge saw him avenge his loss at the same stage in the Betway Premier League a week ago.
 
"Gary played really well, he finished well and that's what won him the game," said Taylor. "I had my chances and I didn't take them, but I've enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to getting back here next year because I love it over here.
 
"It's the hardest stage we play on, it's outside and it's red hot, but if you can play here you can play anywhere."
 
Chisnall also won through to the semi-finals on his return to the World Series of Darts circuit, having reached the same stage in his previous visit to Dubai in 2014.
 
The next PDC World Series of Darts event will be the Auckland Darts Masters from June 17-19 at the Trusts Arena. For tickets, visit www.eventfinda.co.nz.
 
2016 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
Friday May 27
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 11-7 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 11-7 Phil Taylor
Best of 21 legs
 
Final
Gary Anderson 11-9 Michael van Gerwen
Best of 21 legs
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
1-0 - The world number one takes out 86 on the bull for the opening leg.
1-1 - van Gerwen misses double seven to finish 122, and Chisnall - who lands a 180 - takes out 84 on double 12 to level.
2-1 - Chisnall kicks off with a second maximum, but van Gerwen finishes 60 on tops to move back ahead as a third successive leg goes against the throw.
3-1 - Chisnall leaves 32 as he looks to level, but van Gerwen takes out 108 on tops to move two legs clear.
3-2 - Double 18 sees Chisnall hit back to reduce the gap.
4-2 - van Gerwen takes out 102 on double 18 to regain his cushion.
4-3 - van Gerwen opens with 180 and 140, but three missed doubles allow Chisnall in to hit back on double two.
5-3 - van Gerwen kicks off with 180 and 139 before taking out 117 for a third ton-plus checkout of the contest and a 12-darter.
5-4 - Chisnall finishes a brilliant 140 with two treble 18s and double 16.
6-4 - van Gerwen misses the bull to finish 170, but returns to pin double 16 as he edges two legs clear again.
6-5 - Chisnall finishes 50 on tops to cut the gap to one leg.
7-5 - van Gerwen takes out another 12-darter, with a 171 score setting up 132 before he finishes the combination with two bullseyes and double 16.
8-5 - The reigning champion breaks throw with double ten to finish 85 as he moves three legs clear for the first time.
8-6 - Chisnall lands a 180 before punishing van Gerwen's miss at the bull to finish 87, by landing double eight to break back.
9-6 - van Gerwen regains his cushion, landing a 180 before finishing 88 in two darts.
10-6 - van Gerwen sets up a possible nine-darter by opening with two 180s - but he misses out on the perfect leg, and the prize of a Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 SUV when he is unable to take out the 141, but he returns to pin double 18 for a ten-darter to move a leg away from victory.
10-7 - Both players land  180s before Chisnall hits double 16 to keep his hopes alive.
11-7 - van Gerwen seals the win in style with his fifth ton-plus checkout as he finishes 106 on tops to secure a spot in the final.
 
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
0-1 - Taylor finishes 90 on double 15 to win the opener.
1-1 - Anderson lands a 180 and double ten to level, after Taylor misses two darts at double 18.
1-2 - Anderson posts his second maximum, but Taylor finishes 78 on double 12 to move back ahead.
2-2 - Double 17 ses the World Champion level once more.
2-3 - Taylor lands double nine to edge back ahead.
3-3 - Anderson levels courtesy of double top.
3-4 - Taylor regains the edge with double 16.
4-4 - Taylor hits a 180, but misses double 16 for a 102 finish to break as Anderson steps in on tops to square the game.
4-5 - Anderson lands a 174 score, but Taylor finishes 68 on double four in two darts to sneak leg nine.
5-5 - Anderson takes out 64 as he levels the match.
5-6 - Taylor opens with a 180 before finishing 85 on tops.
6-6 - The cat-and-mouse game continues as Anderson finishes tops for a 14-darter as he hits back again - neither player has yet been able to break.
7-6 - Anderson hits tops to claim the first break of throw, punishing Taylor for two misses a double six to move ahead for the first time.
8-6 - Anderson hits his third 180 of the game before double 17 moves him two legs clear.
9-6 - Anderson wins his fourth successive leg with a second break of throw, hitting a fourth maximum before taking out 60 on double ten.
10-6 - A fifth 180 from Anderson is followed with double four as he moves a leg away from victory.
10-7 - The pair trade maximums before Taylor finishes 48 for an 11-dart finish which keeps his hopes alive as he wins his first leg in six.
11-7 - Taylor misses tops for a 117 finish, and Anderson seals his spot in a first World Series of Darts final with tops to complete a fine display.
 
Final
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
1-0 - van Gerwen lands a 180 with his second visit before finishing 81 for a 12-darter to win the opening leg.
2-0 - The reigning champion lands another maximum before taking out 62 to break throw.
2-1 - Anderson breaks back by finishing 86 on double 16.
3-1 - Double 18 gives van Gerwen his third leg of the final.
3-2 - Anderson lands a 180 and tops to respond with a superb 11-dart leg.
4-2 - van Gerwen fires in a 177 score before taking out double 16 to move two legs clear once more.
5-2 - Double top sees van Gerwen open up a three-leg cushion.
5-3 - Anderson hits a 174 score before taking out a fine 115 checkout on double 19.
6-3 - Anderson misses the bull to finish 121, and van Gerwen averts a possible break of throw on double 18.
6-4 - Anderson's second maximum of the game is followed by two from van Gerwen, who can only watch on as the Scot takes out 79 on tops for a 12-darter to hit back again.
7-4 - van Gerwen fires in his fifth airport before finishing tops to regain a three-leg lead.
8-4 - Anderson misses eight darts at doubles, and van Gerwen returns to land double ten as he breaks throw to move three legs away from claiming the title.
8-5 - Anderson opens with a 171 score before taking out 130 on the bull to make a fine response to his misses of the previous leg.
8-6 - The Scot fires in another 180 before taking out 97 on double 12 for back-to-back 12-dart legs as he halves his deficit.
8-7 - van Gerwen misses four darts at double 18 and nine, and Anderson steps in to finish 68 to win his third successive leg as he cuts the gap to one.
8-8 - van Gerwen fires in a 177 but Anderson takes out 76 on double eight to level with a fourth straight leg.
9-8 - van Gerwen hits a sixth 180 before landing double four to win his first leg in five and regain the lead.
9-9 - Anderson defies a 174 score from van Gerwen by landing double ten to level the game once more.
9-10 - Anderson hits his fourth 180 before punishing van Gerwen for a missed double 16 by returning to hit double 12 to lead for the first time - putting himself a leg away from his first World Series of Darts title.
9-11 - van Gerwen misses six darts at doubles across three visits to force a deciding leg, and Anderson eventually claims victory with double five - ending his rival's unbeaten reign in Dubai.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN landed a brilliant ten 180s to begin his defence of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title with a hard-fought 10-7 win over Peter Wright on Thursday, as Dave Chisnall, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor also secured semi-final places.
Van Gerwen has been victorious in all three previous Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters events since the World Series of Darts was introduced in 2013, and he kicked off this year's tournament in a game of the highest quality against Wright in the unique outdoor arena.
Wright gave as good as he got during a thrilling contest, and led four times as the pair enjoyed a fine duel, but van Gerwen found an extra gear to reel off the final four legs without reply from 7-6 down.
After levelling with the aid of a 180, van Gerwen hit a stunning ten-darter to break and move ahead and fired in an 11-dart finish in the next leg before taking out 112 for victory.
Van Gerwen ended the match with an average above 107, while his ten 180s was double that of Wright, who averaged 106 in reply only to suffer defeat in a repeat of the 2014 final.
"Peter put me massively under pressure and I'm delighted to have produced a performance like this, because I really had to," said van Gerwen, who now meets Chisnall in the semi-finals.
"Peter was in great form and he played really well. I'm glad I played that little bit better in the end and it gives me fantastic confidence for tomorrow.
"Dave's a fantastic player and he did really well tonight and he's capable of doing really good things. I've got to enjoy this moment and make sure I do it again tomorrow. I feel good and I feel confident and I really want to win this title again."
Chisnall took out finishes of 130, 110 and 105 and checked out ten doubles from 18 attempts in his impressive 10-1 defeat of Adrian Lewis, as last year's Auckland Darts Masters champion lost out in the quarter-finals.
"I'm happy with that," said Chisnall. "My finishing took me through - I wish I could finish like that when I'm playing indoors!
"Adrian will be disappointed but I took my chances a little bit better than him. My form has been great since I came out of the Premier League and even if it was indoors tonight I probably would have played quite well."
World Champion Gary Anderson impressed with a heavy-scoring display as he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 10-8, hitting 24 scores of 140 or better and two 180s as he overcame the Dutchman after opting to use heavier darts than usual to combat any air movement on the open-air stage at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Anderson a turned the game around with five straight legs to move from 3-2 down to lead 7-3, and though van Barneveld threatened a fightback, a 12-dart finish from the Scot secured his semi-final spot.
"It was good," said Anderson, who now meets Taylor in the last four. "Even at 3-2 down I was enjoying it. I came with a heavier set of darts and I'm happy with the way they were going - although a few of them curved off that double 13 near the end.
"I thought I'd try a heavier set - I play with 23 gram darts and these were 25 gram and they went alright, I was happy with them. My 180s weren't there but there were lots of 140s and I'm happy."
Taylor, meanwhile, took out finishes of 170 and 110 in successive legs at a key moment in mid-game as he defeated James Wade 10-2, book-ending the performance with 13-darters, hitting three 180s and taking the final six legs without reply.
"Getting the win was the important thing and I've done that, but I think I played quite steady darts, I was solid and I can improve on that," said Taylor. "The 170 was perfect and the 110 finish was great too.
"I thought James, at 4-1 down, was up against it but he's one of those players you can't relax against and even at 8-2 I thought he was going to come back so I had to get the job done."
The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters concludes on Friday with the semi-finals and final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Tickets are available via www.dubai-darts.com.
2016 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
Thursday May 26
Quarter-Finals
Adrian Lewis (4) 1-10 Dave Chisnall
Phil Taylor (3) 10-2 James Wade
Gary Anderson (2) 10-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen (1) 10-7 Peter Wright
Best of 19 legs
Friday May 27 (8pm local time)
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Best of 21 legs
Final
van Gerwen/Chisnall v Anderson/Taylor
Best of 21 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Chisnall takes out 130 on double five to make a superb opening as the pair get to grips with the outdoor conditions.
0-2 - Chisnall breaks throw immediately by landing double five.
1-2 - Both players initially miss darts at doubles before Lewis lands tops to claim his first leg of the contest.
1-3 - Chisnall takes out 78 on tops to regain breathing space.
1-4 - Lewis misses double top and ten, and Chisnall this time takes out 110 on double 18 to move three legs clear.
1-5 - Chisnall lands his third ton-plus checkout of the game as he finishes 105 to win a third successive leg.
1-6 - Chisnall initially misses double 14 to take out 148, but returns to hit the bed as he opens a five-leg lead.
1-7 - Chisnall's fine finishing continues with a two-dart 85 finish.
1-8 - Chisnall takes out 72 on the bull to move two legs away from victory with a sixth successive leg.
1-9 - Chisnall's charge continues as he punishes Lewis for one miss at tops by taking out 76 in two darts on double eight.
1-10 - Chisnall seals victory with double six as he takes out ten doubles from 18 attempts in an impressive display of finishing to book a semi-final place.
Phil Taylor v James Wade
1-0 - Taylor starts superbly, landing a 180 before finishing double four for a 13-darter to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - Wade misses four darts at doubles, and Taylor capitalises by finishing 65 on tops to break throw.
3-0 - A second 180 of the game gives Taylor the breathing space to initially miss two darts at doubles before returning on double eight.
3-1 - Wade gets off the mark with his first leg, courtesy of double five.
4-1 - Both players initially miss a dart at tops, with Taylor returning to land double ten to restore his cushion.
4-2 - Wade finishes 40 as he claims his second leg.
5-2 - Double 12 allows Taylor to regain a three-leg lead.
6-2 - Taylor takes out a stunning 170 checkout to delight the Dubai crowd.
7-2 - Taylor hits his third maximum before finishing 110 on tops to extend his lead to five legs.
8-2 - Double ten gives Taylor a fourth successive leg.
9-2 - Wade misses double eight and four, and Taylor capitalises with a third-dart double 16 to move a leg away from victory.
10-2 - Taylor seals victory with tops for a 13-darter as last year's beaten finalist moves into the last four.
Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld
1-0 - van Barneveld opens with 180 and 140 but misses a dart at tops, and Anderson follows two 140s by taking out 76 on double four.
2-0 - Anderson finishes 25 to double his lead.
2-1 - van Barneveld again begins a leg with a 180 before finishing tops to hit back.
2-2 - The Dutchman levels on double nine, after Anderson misses double six.
2-3 - Double 18 sees van Barneveld win a third successive leg to move in front.
3-3 - Anderson takes out 97 in two darts to hit back and level.
4-3 - The World Champion finishes 56 to move back in front.
5-3 - Anderson takes out 31 to regain a two-leg lead.
6-3 - van Barneveld misses double 12 to finish 97, allowing Anderson back from two earlier missed doubles to finish double one.
7-3 - The Dutchman kicks off the leg with his third 180, but double four for Anderson sees him claim a fifth straight leg.
7-4 - van Barneveld's fourth 180 is followed by Anderson's first maximum, before the Dutchman lands double nine to respond with his first leg in six.
8-4 - Double 12 sees Anderson edge towards a semi-final spot.
8-5 - Anderson's missed doubles across two visits are punished as van Barneveld hits double ten with his third dart.
8-6 - van Barneveld opens with a 174 score and adds two 140s before double 16 completes a superb 11-darter, the best leg of the night so far.
9-6 - Anderson steadies any nerves by taking out 71 on tops to move a leg away from victory.
9-7 - van Barneveld keeps his hopes alive by finishing 84 on the bull.
9-8 - Anderson misses four match darts at double 13, and van Barneveld returns from three misses to post double four and continue his challenge.
10-8 - The World Champion finally seals victory with a sparkling 12-darter, hitting a second 180 before finishing 86 on double 16.
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
0-1 - Wright hits the first 180 before finishing double 16 for a 13-darter to make a perfect start.
1-1 - van Gerwen finishes 70 on double eight to level.
2-1 - The reigning champion opens with a 180 before taking out 121 on the bull to break.
2-2 - Wright breaks back to level, with the pair trading 180s before the Scot takes out 96 on double eight.
2-3 - Wright lands tops as he moves back ahead.
3-3 - van Gerwen hits a 180 and double top as he responds to level.
4-3 - The Dutchman repeats the feat with a maximum and tops to break and move ahead.
4-4 - Wright lands his third 180 before finishing 81 on double six to break back and square a high-quality game.
4-5 - Wright pulls clear before landing double 18 to regain the lead, with van Gerwen's fifth 180 of the game coming too late to save the leg.
5-5 - van Gerwen's sixth 180 of the game helps him to level once again.
5-6 - Both players trade 180s before Wright posts tops to edge back in front.
6-6 - Wright lands a fifth 180, but misses the bull to take out 124 as van Gerwen steps in on double 18 to level.
6-7 - van Gerwen hits an eighth maximum, but misses double five to finish 87 and Wright takes out 96 for a 14-darter to regain the lead.
7-7 - van Gerwen's ninth 180 is followed by double top to see the reigning champion respond.
8-7 - van Gerwen breaks throw in brilliant fashion with a scintillating ten-dart finish, scoring 140, 180 and 165 before pinning double eight to regain the lead.
9-7 - van Gerwen moves a leg away from victory with a superb 11-dart leg, hitting three 140s before taking out 81.
10-7 - Wright wires double eight to finish 96, and van Gerwen seals the triumph in style with a 112 checkout.

​MICHAEL VAN GERWEN will begin his bid to win a fourth successive Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title on Thursday against Peter Wright, as World Champion Gary Anderson prepares to face Raymond van Barneveld.
 
The first PDC World Series of Darts tournament of 2016 sees eight top stars lining up in the unique open-air setting of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Thursday May 26 and Friday May 27, with 750,000AED on offer in prize money.
 
World number one van Gerwen has never been defeated in the three previous years of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, winning all three events since 2013, and will start his challenge to claim a fourth successive title against Wright in a repeat of the 2014 final.
 
The Dutchman won his second Premier League title last Thursday at the Play-Offs in London, and has already won ten tournaments during 2016, and said: "I love it in Dubai and I'm really confident and playing well.
 
"Winning the Premier League helped that confidence but I've always done well here and I hope I can keep that successful run going in this tournament.
 
"I need to concentrate on my own performance, prepare really well and I hope I can do some good damage again - but it's not going to be easy because there are eight fantastic players here and you can't underestimate anyone.
 
"Peter's a fantastic player who's improved himself in the last few years, so I need to make sure I'm ready for the game."
 
Wright, who followed up his appearance in the final in Dubai by being the runner-up in the Japan Darts Masters last year, said: "It's a great tournament and I'm really looking forward to it.
 
"Obviously I've got a really hard draw against Michael, he's the man in form but when he gives me chances I've got to take them. It's going to be very difficult but I believe I can get on top of him."
 
World Champion Gary Anderson, who retained the sport's biggest title in London in January, will begin his tilt to claim a first World Series of Darts title against five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld.
 
Phil Taylor, the legendary 16-time World Champion, comes up against James Wade in a repeat of the 2015 Perth Darts Masters final, while Adrian Lewis - last year's Auckland Darts Masters champion and a two-time World Champion - has drawn Dave Chisnall, who previously competed in Dubai in 2014.
 
Following Thursday's quarter-finals, the tournament will conclude on Friday with the semi-finals and final.
 
Commenting on the continued support of the Darts Masters, George Horan, President of Dubai Duty Free said: "As title sponsors of the Darts Masters for the fourth year, we are very pleased that it has grown to become one of the most highly anticipated events in the Dubai calendar, providing a unique opportunity to see the world's top darts players in a highly competitive atmosphere at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
 
"The PDC and the event team have worked incredibly hard to bring this tournament to an even greater success and that the event is watched by an even wider local and global audience."
 
PDC Chief Executive Matthew Porter added: "We're delighted to be back where the World Series began back in 2013. The unique nature of this event, being outdoors, gives its own identity and the players love coming out here to put on a show.
 
"We're grateful for the support of our partners Dubai Duty Free, JW Marriott Marquis, Qantas, Sixt and the Irish Village, without whom this tournament would not be possible."
 
In addition to the prize money on offer in the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, partners Sixt Rent a Car will donate an all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 SUV to the first player who achieves a nine-darter in this year's event.
 
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters are still available and can be purchased via www.dubai-darts.com.
 
The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will be screened live on Dubai Sports TV and OSN across the Middle East.
 
Coverage will also be screened on ITV4 in the UK (from 9pm BST on both days) and live worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners, as well as via www.LIVEPDC.TV (outside of UK).
 
2016 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
Thursday May 26 (8pm local time)
Quarter-Finals
Adrian Lewis (4) v Dave Chisnall
Phil Taylor (3) v James Wade
Gary Anderson (2) v Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Peter Wright
Best of 19 legs
 
Friday May 27 (8pm local time)
Semi-Finals
van Gerwen/Wright v Lewis/Chisnall
Anderson/van Barneveld v Taylor/Wade
Best of 21 legs
 
Final
Best of 21 legs

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN won the Betway Premier League title for a second time on Thursday night with a glorious procession in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London, defeating great rival Phil Taylor 11-3 in the final.
 
The world number one, who previously claimed the trophy in 2013, picked up the £200,000 first prize in style as he firstly saw off Adrian Lewis 10-4 in the semi-finals before sweeping past Taylor in the decider.
 
Van Gerwen, who also pockets a £25,000 bonus for topping the league table during the 16-game regular season, was at his brilliant best in the final as he took five straight legs to move from 2-1 down to lead 6-2, before a showpiece 100 finish which featured two double tops stopped Taylor's fightback stone dead.
 
That checkout sparked another five-leg burst which saw the Dutchman take the title and reclaim one of the sport's most coveted trophies.
 
"It's been an amazing season for me and I'm so proud to win this title again," said van Gerwen. "Behind the World Championship, this is probably the biggest tournament and it was one of my goals this year to win this trophy.
 
"It's extra special for me after losing in the final for the last two years. I could have won those games but I let myself down and I can't ask for anything more than this because to beat Phil is a pleasure in itself as he's the greatest player who's ever lived.
 
"I was really solid tonight and I didn't make many mistakes. I did the right thing at the right moments and I'm really glad with this result.
 
"It's not all about tonight, but about the last 16 weeks. You put so much effort in and try to do well and it's paid out by winning this trophy."
 
Taylor had ended Gary Anderson's title defence with a 10-7 victory in their semi-final, with the Scot hitting back from 8-4 down at one stage to trail by just one leg before Taylor took out a key 79 before sealing victory.
 
However, the Stoke legend's bid to win a seventh Premier League title was ended as he lost out again to van Gerwen in the decider, as he had in 2013.
 
"I'm very proud to have got through to the final," said Taylor, whose last Premier League win came in 2012. "Michael beat me up, put me under pressure and made me miss doubles.
 
"He's doing phenomenal things and I did my best, but I just couldn't react against him. His scoring is good but his finishing is phenomenal and that's where he hurts you."
 
Lewis had landed a nine-dart finish during the league season in Belfast, but saw his bid to claim the Premier League title for a first time derailed by van Gerwen in the last four.
 
"It was one of those nights for me," said Lewis. "I felt like I threw good darts but they were landing just on the wrong sides of the wires, but Michael was the better man and deserved to win.
 
"I'm proud to have reached the Play-Offs in such a competitive field, but I know I've got more to give in the coming months and I'll get back on the practice board."
 
World Champion Anderson was aiming to win his third Premier League title, and admitted: "It's really disappointing for me. I missed too many doubles and then when I got back at Phil I just couldn't get level, but I'll be back.
 
"After the start I had to the season I did well just to get to the Play-Offs, but when you’re here you want to win it and I’ve not done that tonight."
 
Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Thursday May 19
The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 10-4 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor 10-7 Gary Anderson
Best of 19 legs
 
Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-3 Phil Taylor
Best of 21 legs
 
MATCH INFORMATION
SEMI-FINALS
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
1-0 - Lewis lands the game's first 180, but van Gerwen takes out 87 on the bull to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - Lewis misses two darts to hit back, and van Gerwen breaks throw to double his lead.
2-1 - The pair trade 180s before Lewis punishes van Gerwen's miss at tops by hitting the same bed to complete a 14-darter.
3-1 - Lewis misses his chance to punish van Gerwen, who returns to recover from six missed doubles by landing double one.
4-1 - van Gerwen moves three legs clear with a 14-darter, landing double eight.
5-1 - van Gerwen opens with a 180 before finishing 76 for an 11-darter to continue his charge with another break of throw.
6-1 - Lewis misses tops to take out 98, and van Gerwen hits the bed to win a fourth successive leg.
6-2 - van Gerwen misses the bull to finish 164 and a further two darts at doubles, and Lewis pounces to hit back by finishing 83 on double nine.
6-3 - Lewis lands a 177 before breaking throw with double 18 to complete a 13-darter as he cuts the gap to three legs.
6-4 - Lewis posts his third 180, with the pair both missing one dart at a double before the Stoke ace continues his revival with double five.
7-4 - van Gerwen hits a fourth maximum before taking out 81 for an 11-darter.
8-4 - Lewis wires the bull to finish 122, and van Gerwen punishes his rival by taking out 107 on double 18.
9-4 - van Gerwen's fifth 180 is followed by double eight as he moves a leg away from the final.
10-4 - The Dutchman scores 177 and 180 before finishing 64 on tops for another 11-dart leg to seal his place in a fourth consecutive Premier League final.
 
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
1-0 - Anderson lands a 180, but Taylor takes the lead with a crowd-pleasing 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top.
2-0 - Taylor lands a 180 before punishing Anderson for a miss at tops by hitting the bed himself for a break of throw.
2-1 - Anderson fires in another maximum before finally getting his first leg on the board courtesy of double one, after Taylor misses a dart at tops for a third leg.
2-2 - The pair trade maximums before Anderson returns on double five, after Taylor misses the bull to finish 161.
3-2 - Both players again hit 180s before Taylor regains the edge.
3-3 - Taylor's miss at tops allows Anderson in to level once more.
4-3 - Taylor hits a fourth 180 before taking advantage of Anderson's miss at tops, for a 120 finish, by landing double ten.
4-4 - Anderson hits tops to square the contest once more.
5-4 - Taylor takes out 72 to move himself back ahead.
6-4 - Anderson misses his chance to level, and Taylor takes out 52 on double 16 to break throw and restore his two-leg lead.
7-4 - Double eight sees Taylor move three legs clear for the first time.
8-4 - Taylor lands double 16 to move two legs away from the final.
8-5 - Anderson hits back by finishing double two.
8-6 - Taylor opens with a 180, but is punished for misses of his own as Anderson takes out 93 on double 18 to halve the deficit with back-to-back legs.
8-7 - Anderson fires in his sixth maximum of the game before taking out tops for an 11-darter to continue his brilliant revival.
9-7 - Taylor halts the reigning champion's charge by taking out 79 on double 11.
10-7 - Taylor takes out double 16 for a 13-darter to secure his place in the final and end Anderson's title defence.
 
FINAL
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
0-1 - Double 12 sees Taylor claim the opening leg.
1-1 - van Gerwen takes out 121 as he levels the contest.
1-2 - Taylor finishes 51 as he edges back in front.
2-2 - Tops sees van Gerwen square the game.
3-2 - van Gerwen claims the final's first break with a 60 finish.
4-2 - Three misses from Taylor to break back and level allow van Gerwen back in on double 16 as he moves two legs clear.
5-2 - van Gerwen lands a 180 before returning from a missed bullseye to finish double eight.
6-2 - Tops sees van Gerwn win a fifth successive leg.
6-3 - Taylor takes out 80 with two darts to respond with his first leg in six.
7-3 - Taylor leaves 40 as he bids to cut the gap to two legs, but van Gerwen finishes a brilliant 100 with single 20 and two double tops to regain his breathing space.
8-3 - van Gerwen finishes 76 to move five legs clear of his rival.
9-3 - The Dutchman kicks off with two 180s, and though he is unable to complete a nine-dart finish he returns to finish double eight for a 13-dart leg.
10-3 - Taylor misses three darts at doubles across two visits, and van Gerwen steps in on double ten to move a leg away from glory.
11-3 - Double four sees van Gerwen seal his second Betway Premier League title in style.

​ENGLAND will begin their defence of the Betway World Cup of Darts title against Spain in Frankfurt next month, while former champions Netherlands will meet Russia in the first round of the annual Pairs tournament.
 
The £250,000 tournament will be held from June 2-5 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, where 32 nations - each represented by two players - will compete across four days in a knockout format, live on Sky Sports.
 
Reigning champions England, who saw Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis team up last summer to win a third title in four years, will open their bid to claim a fourth victory against Spain.
 
The tie will evoke memories of Spain's famous win over England in the inaugural World Cup of Darts in 2010 as they went on to reach the semi-finals.
 
Two-time World Cup of Darts winners Netherlands have drawn Russia for their opener, with 2015 finalists Scotland set to take on New Zealand and 2013 runners-up Belgium up against Poland.
 
A plum first round tie will see 2012 finalists Australia taking on host nation Germany, while fellow seeds Wales will meet Finland, Northern Ireland play Japan and Austria have been drawn with Italy.
 
The remaining eight games feature unseeded teams, including Canada up against debutants Greece, the all-Scandinavian meeting between Denmark and Sweden, Norway taking on Gibraltar and the Republic of Ireland playing Hong Kong.
 
America will play the Philippines, South Africa take on Singapore, the Czech Republic face China and Hungary will come up against Thailand.
 
The seedings for the Betway World Cup of Darts will be finalised on Monday May 23, along with the confirmation of the competing players for all 32 nations.
 
Tickets for the Betway World Cup of Darts are available through www.pdc-europe.tv.
 
Betway World Cup of Darts
Seeded Nations
Austria v Italy
Australia v Germany
Belgium v Poland
England v Spain
Netherlands v Russia
Northern Ireland v Japan
Scotland v New Zealand
Wales v Finland
Seed Numbers will be finalised on Monday May 23 alongside the confirmation of competing players.
 
Tournament Draw Bracket
Seed One Tie
Czech Republic v China
Seed Eight Tie
South Africa v Singapore
Seed Five Tie
Greece v Canada
Seed Four Tie
Republic of Ireland v Hong Kong
Seed Two Tie
Norway v Gibraltar
Seed Seven Tie
Hungary v Thailand
Seed Six Tie
Denmark v Sweden
Seed Three Tie
USA v Philippines
 
Prize Fund
Winners: £25,000 per player
Runners-Up: £13,000 per player
Semi-Finalists: £7,500 per player
Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 per player
Second Round Losers: £3,500 per player
First Round Losers: £1,500 per player
Total £250,000
 
The Betway World Cup of Darts draw was made by Betway's Alan Alger on Wednesday May 18.

THE 2016 Betway Premier League champion will be crowned in Thursday's Play-Offs at The O2 in London, where Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis will compete for the prestigious title.
 
Following the completion of the 15-night league season, the top four players from the league table face off on Thursday in the semi-finals and final, with a tournament-record £200,000 on offer for the eventual champion.
 
With ten players having kicked off the season back in February, the semi-final line-up sees the top four players in the PDC Order of Merit having won through to compete at The O2.
 
World number one van Gerwen, the 2013 Premier League champion, finished at the top of the league table for a fourth successive year by defeating Phil Taylor in Rotterdam last week, securing himself a £25,000 bonus.
 
The Dutchman - who is unbeaten since losing to James Wade on the opening league night in February - faces Adrian Lewis in the semi-finals, and has set his sights on continuing a superb year by regaining the Premier League title.
 
"It was a big night for last week and there was a lot of pressure, but I handled it and I'm proud of myself - but this is a new week," said van Gerwen.
 
"I want to win the title and I'm really looking forward to playing at The O2 and I'm desperate to win because I haven't won it for the last two years.
 
"I'll need to play as well as possible and I'll need to if I'm going to win this title. I feel fantastic but I need to show it on Thursday. You can't afford any mistakes, so I'll be 100 percent focused on the title."
 
Two-time World Champion Lewis last reached the Play-Offs in 2011 - when he lost out to Anderson in the final - and is aiming to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time on Thursday night.
 
"I'm looking forward to playing Michael and I'm happy to be back in the Play-Offs because it's been five years now since I was last in the semis," said Lewis. "It's a straight knockout, it's a different ball-game and I can't wait.
 
"I've always said I'm a better player when it's knockout and that's what this is now, and I don't fear anybody.
 
"My scoring hasn't been fantastic, certainly over the last few weeks, but I've finished well. As long as I combine the two on Thursday then I've got a great chance."
 
The other semi-final sees six-time Premier League champion Taylor facing regning Premier League and World Champion Anderson in an eagerly-awaited contest.
 
Taylor's superb season included a 12-match unbeaten run as he bounced back in style from the disappointment of missing out on the Play-Offs for the first time in 2015.
 
"It hurt me missing out last year, it really did, and it's been a massive goal to get back into the Play-Offs - but now I'm here I'm focusing on trying to win the title," said Taylor.
 
"Qualifying was the hard part and it's brilliant to get through because it's been the toughest season ever, but I've loved it. I'm relaxed now and I can enjoy Thursday night.
 
"I want to play proper darts and enjoy it because players don't seem to miss any more - you miss a double and they knock you out. I think the crowd are in for a treat on Thursday and it will be a good match against Gary because I think we'll be both on form."
 
Anderson, meanwhile, is aiming to capture the coveted title for a third time following his previous successes in 2011 and 2015 - which also saw the Scot finish in third place in the league table before claiming glory in the Play-Offs.
 
"It's been a hard 15 weeks and the boys have played well," said Anderson, who had missed the opening night in Leeds through illness and lost his first two matches.
 
"You've got the top four in the world so it's got the makings of a great night. All the boys will be up for it and we all want to lift that title.
 
"I've done well to get into the top four and it's worked out well, and we'll see what happens now on Thursday because I've got a very tough semi-final to focus on first. I've finished third twice before and gone on to win it so hopefully history will repeat itself."
 
Thursday's semi-finals will be followed by the final at The O2 in London, with coverage live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
 
Tickets for the Betway Premier League Play-Offs are still available by calling 0844 856 0202 or via www.theo2.co.uk.
 
Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Thursday May 19
The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Best of 19 legs
 
Final
van Gerwen/Lewis v Taylor/Anderson
Best of 21 legs
 
Betway Odds
Tournament Winner – before Play-Offs
4/7 Michael van Gerwen
4/1 Phil Taylor
11/2 Gary Anderson
11/1 Adrian Lewis
 
Semi-Final Match Odds
2/11 Michael van Gerwen v 4/1 Adrian Lewis
5/6 Phil Taylor v Evens Gary Anderson
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy of www.betway.com. Odds subject to fluctuation.