Michael van Gerwen: I can come back from any position to win | Rob Smyth

The overwhelming favourite to regain the PDC world title has upset darts’ world order in thrilling style and is confident he can crown a perfect year with success at Alexandra Palace

The Urban Dictionary’s top definition of the word “awesome” could barely be pithier: “Something Americans use to describe everything.” The classical meaning of the word has been lost in recent times, and not just in the US. Darts fans, however, are given a regular reminder of its true definition: since his dramatic breakthrough in 2012 Michael van Gerwen has been inspiring awe on a regular basis.

So many moments have bought a lease in the memory bank. Seventeen perfect darts in a world championship semi-final; a scorching comeback to end Phil Taylor’s 29-match unbeaten run in 2013, the moment the darts world order changed; a 6-0 destruction of Adrian Lewis in the world championship semi-final a few weeks later en route to winning the tournament.

Related: A Grand Slam night of darts – a picture essay

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