The World Matchplay Darts has now reached the semi-final stage, with Phil Taylor and James Wade recording impressive victories at Winter Gardens
Phil Taylor enjoyed a successful return to his old style of darts as he booked a Betfair World Matchplay semi-final place on Friday night, and he was joined in the last four by James Wade following the left-hander's win over Michael van Gerwen.
Taylor had defeated both Mervyn King and Ian White earlier in the tournament using a new design of dart, but after producing a below-par display against the latter on Thursday night opted to return to his previous style darts.
Despite initially going 2-0 down, Taylor produced his best performance of the event so far this year as he overcame the World Championship finalist, who hit 12 180s but was unable to match the world number one.
Taylor produced key early finishes of 126 and 127 in successive legs, and after taking a 7-6 lead he then won six of the next eight legs in setting up the win, which was sealed with a 170 checkout and earns him a semi-final against Ronnie Baxter on Saturday.
"I decided to change back to my old darts this morning - in my living room I was unbeatable but it wasn't working on stage and I had to go back to my old darts," said Taylor.
"I needed to do that against Andy because he hit buckets of 180s and his concentration levels are unbelievable. He battled hard and played some great darts there, and I could never shake him off.
"I'm glad the 170 went in at the end and I know I'll be in for another battle on Saturday now against Ronnie. The tournament's getting better and better and I'll be doing everything I can to win this title again now."
Friday night's other winner was 2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade, who held off a spirited comeback from Michael van Gerwen to set up a semi-final against two-time finalist Terry Jenkins.
Wade made the early running as he took five successive legs in moving 6-2 up, and he also led 11-5 before van Gerwen remarkably pulled back to within a leg after winning six legs from seven.
However, the world number three won a key 24th leg to deny van Gerwen the chance to break, and he went on to seal his victory with legs of 11, 13 and 14 darts.
"I'm delighted to be in the semis again but I'm really having to work hard in this event!" said Wade. "I was playing well in patches but then I'd have a bad leg and Michael never gave in, no matter what I threw at him.
"A few years ago I used to really love the bite of the player coming back at me, and I want to get that back. It could happen again on Saturday because I know Terry's playing well and we've had some good games in the past."
Van Gerwen admitted: "There's a lot of disappointment for me because I can play a lot better, but James played well. He hit some very good finishes and deserved to win.
"If I'd made it 12-all then anything could have happened but I hit the bullseye instead of the 25, and he went 13-11 and threw a very good leg after that."
Earlier in the day, Blackpool favourite Baxter - the 1998 finalist - defeated rising start Justin Pipe 16-11 and Jenkins overcame World Champion Adrian Lewis 16-12 in a thrilling encounter.
Jenkins and Wade will clash in Saturday's first semi-final at 7pm, before Taylor and Baxter take to the stage for their best-of-33 leg contest.
Betfair World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Justin Pipe 11-16 Ronnie Baxter
Adrian Lewis 12-16 Terry Jenkins
Evening Session
Phil Taylor 16-11 Andy Hamilton
Michael van Gerwen 13-16 James Wade
Semi-Finals
Saturday July 28
7.10pm Terry Jenkins v James Wade
9.00pm Phil Taylor v Ronnie Baxter
Best of 33 legs. Games must be won by two clear legs.
MATCH INFORMATION
PHIL TAYLOR 16-11 ANDY HAMILTON
PHIL TAYLOR bounced back to top form in the Betfair World Matchplay to win a semi-final place with a superb - win over Stoke rival Andy Hamilton on Friday night - with a change of darts keeping the reigning champion on course for a record-equalling fifth straight Blackpool win.
Taylor had defeated both Mervyn King and Ian White earlier in the tournament using a new design of dart, but after producing a below-par display against the latter on Thursday night opted to return to his previous style darts.
Despite initially going 2-0 down, Taylor produced his best performance of the event so far this year as he overcame the World Championship finalist, who hit 12 180s but was unable to match the world number one.
Taylor produced key early finishes of 126 and 127 in successive legs, and after taking a 7-6 lead he then won six of the next eight legs in setting up the win, which he sealed with 1 70 finish and earns him a semi-final against Ronnie Baxter on Saturday.
Hamilton began the game in brilliant fashion by opening with a 180 in a 14-darter and then doubling his lead in 12 darts by starting the second leg with a 177 and finishing it with a 110 checkout.
He also kicked off leg three with a maximum, but a missed bullseye allowed Taylor in to hit the same bed in completing a 126 finish as he got off the mark.
Hamilton hit a 171 to leave 132 in the fourth, but Taylor this time landed the bull for a 127 checkout in levelling, before matching a 180 from the World Championship finalist and htiting tops to lead for the first time at 3-2.
Taylor then fired in another 180 and double 16 to lead 4-2, putting any doubt over his switch of darts firmly out of his mind as he hit top gear.
Hamilton replied well to win the next two legs and level, posting a 180 and double eight before landing double ten with his third dart, but a key 68 finish from Taylor gave him the ninth as he regained a lead he would never lose.
Taylor hit another 180 in a 12-darter to win the tenth leg, and tops in the next saw him move into a 7-4 advantage.
Hamilton replied with maximums in the next two to punish Taylor with a brace of double 16 finishes as he cut the gap to one leg, but a miss at double ten from the number eight seed allowed the reigning champion to hit the same bed and wi his eighth leg.
Double eight from Hamilton won him the next, but Taylor hit a 174 and double 16 to lead 9-7 and added a 180 to set up an 84 finish as he moved into double figures.
Hamilton posted another maximum and a 124 bullseye finish to pull back to 10-8, and added a 180 and double nine in reducing the gap to one leg.
The heavy-scoring ace powered in his tenth 180 of the game in leg 20 as he sought to level, but Taylor crucially landed double 16 to avert the chance to move 11-9 up.
Taylor then landed further 180s of his own in superb legs of 14 and 11 darts, and he then punished two misses from Hamilton to land double 16 for a 14-9 cushion as he moved towards the finishing line.
Hamilton hit his 12th maximum of the game and took out 108 - with Taylor on 32 - to win his tenth leg, but missed double 16 as Taylor landed double 12 to move a leg away from the win.
A miss at double 16 from Taylor for the match in the next allowed Hamilton to land the same bed and stay alive, but Taylor sealed the win in magnificent style with a 170 checkout.
"I decided to change back to my old darts this morning - in my living room I was unbeatable but it wasn't working on stage and I had to go back to my old darts," said Taylor.
"I needed to do that against Andy because he hit buckets of 180s and his concentration levels are unbelievable. He doesn't know when he's beaten, and I hope he pushes forward now.
"I've got nothing but admiration for him and he could be World Champion or world number one in the future - he battled hard and played some great darts there, and I could never shake him off.
"I'm glad the 170 went in at the end and I know I'll be in for another battle on Saturday now against Ronnie. The tournament's getting better and better and I'll be doing everything I can to win this title again now."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Hamilton begins the game with a 180, and finishes tops for a 14-darter to lead.
0-2 - Hamilton opens with a 177, and then takes out 110 on double 16 for a 12-darter to break throw.
1-2 - Hamilton commences a third successive leg with a 'maximum' score, landing a 180, but he misses the bull for a 91 finish only to see Taylor hit the same bed to complete a 126 combination.
2-2 - Hamilton lands a 171 to leave 132, but Taylor betters his 126 finish by taking out 127 on the bull to level.
3-2 - Taylor lands a 180 and is followed in that by Hamilton - who hits a 170+ score for the fifth successive leg but is left on 12 as Taylor takes out 82 on tops.
4-2 - Taylor returns with a 180 and finishes double 16 to maintain his flawless start on doubles.
4-3 - Hamilton hits a 180 and double eight to hit back with his first leg in four.
4-4 - Hamilton breaks to level by landing double ten with his third dart.
5-4 - Taylor finishes 68 on double four to edge back ahead with a break.
6-4 - Taylor kicks off the leg with 180 and 140 and finishes 84 for a 12-darter to move two legs clear again.
7-4 - Taylor finishes tops to move three legs ahead of his local rivals.
7-5 - Hamilton opens with a 180 and steps in after Taylor misses double top, ten and five to land double 16 and break throw.
7-6 - Hamilton leaves 44 by hitting his sixth 180 of the game, and when Taylor fails to finish 132 he returns to finish double 16.
8-6 - Taylor avoids a potential break, opening with a 171 but missing tops for a 67 finish only for Hamilton to miss double ten and allow him back to hit the same bed.
8-7 - Hamilton reduces the gap to one leg, punishing an opening 41 from Taylor by landing his seventh maximum of the game and double eight to win the leg.
9-7 - Taylor opens with a 174 and adds a 131 before finishing double 16.
10-7 - Taylor hits a 180 to leave 84, and finishes the combination on double eight to regain his three-leg cushion with a break of throw.
10-8 - Hamilton posts his eighth 180 of the game, and takes out 124 on the bull to break back.
10-9 - Hamilton fires in another maximum, and returns from three missed doubles to land double nine.
11-9 - Hamilton kicks off the leg with his tenth 180 of the game, but Taylor finishes double 16 to win a key leg and regain his advantage.
12-9 - Taylor opens with a 180 and leaves 16 with a 165 score, before returning to finish double four for a 14-darter.
13-9 - Taylor adds his sixth 180 of the leg, and takes out 86 on double 16 for an 11-dart finish.
14-9 - Hamilton lands another 180, but misses double 16 and eight to hit back and Taylor returns from an earlier miss at double 16 to hit the same bed to move two legs away from the win.
14-10 - Hamilton fires in his 12th 180 of the game to leave 108, and finishes the combination on double 16 to break throw.
15-10 - Hamilton misses double 16 for a 92 finish, and Taylor lands double 12 to move a leg away from the win - and breaks out into a broad grin on stage as he celebrates the dart.
15-11 - Hamilton misses the bull to finish 164, but returns to land double 16 and keep the game alive after Taylor misses the same bed for victory.
16-11 - Taylor seals the victory with a brilliant 170 checkout!
JAMES WADE 16-13 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
JAMES WADE held off a spirited comeback from Michael van Gerwen to set up a semi-final against two-time finalist Terry Jenkins with a 16-13 win over the Dutchman on Friday night.
Wade made the early running as he took five successive legs in moving 6-2 up, and he also led 11-5 before van Gerwen remarkably pulled back to within a leg after winning six legs from seven.
However, the world number three won a key 24th leg to deny van Gerwen the chance to level in moving himself 13-11 up, and he went on to seal his victory by landing his trusted double ten.
"I'm delighted to be in the semis again but I'm really having to work hard in this event!" said Wade. "I was playing well in patches but then I'd have a bad leg and Michael never gave in, no matter what I threw at him.
"Maybe I was lucky to get away with it but I've been putting the hard work in and it's showing in patches.
"A few years ago I used to really love the bite of the player coming back at me, and I want to get that back. It could happen again on Saturday because I know Terry's playing well and we've had some good games in the past."
Wade made a fine start by hitting double ten to win the opening leg, and he then hit a 180 and took out 116 to break throw and lead 2-0.
He also missed two chances to win the third before van Gerwen got off the mark on double five and finished a 14-darter on tops to level.
Wade won the fifth, and then broke on 68, finished two 14-darters and broke with a superb 11-dart leg to win five in a row and take charge at 7-2, before a 13-darter from van Gerwen saw him stem the tide.
Wade finished 146 and then double ten for a 14-darter as he moved 9-3 up, and after the Dutch youngster took out double eight he landed the bull for a 122 checkout to lead by six legs at 11-5.
Van Gerwen again rallied, winning four successive legs, including a 13-dart break of throw, to cut the gap to two legs only for Wade to hit a 177 in setting up double six to move 12-9 ahead.
The Dutchman continued his revival by hitting double 16 and then taking out 88 on the bull to pull back to a leg behind - only to see a dramatic 22nd leg slip from his grasp when he failed to finish 65, landing the bull instead of 25 and then missing double six to allow Wade to finish a key 72 on tops.
After the number three seed landed an 11-dart finish, the pair the traded 13-darters as Wade moved a leg away from the win, and after van Gerwen hit tops to stay alive the left-hander finished 71 on double ten to secure his sixth semi-final appearance in seven years.
"There's a lot of disappointment for me because I can play a lot better, but James played well," said van Gerwen. "He hit some very good finishes and deserved to win.
"If I'd made it 12-all then anything could have happened but I hit the bullseye instead of the 25, and he went 13-11 and threw a very good leg after that."
Van Gerwen hit a superb nine-dart finish during his second round win over Steve Beaton, and ended with a tournament average over 100 as he continued his return to form in 2012.
"I hope I can do well again in the remaining tournaments this year and I'll work hard on my game. The whole match against Steve Beaton was superb for me, not just the nine-darter, and I played well this week.
"I'm back in the top 32 but I know I can still do better and I've not got much money to defend in the rest of the year so I think I can move up the rankings. I'm going to practice hard and try to do well in the TV tournaments, and I hope I can have a good rest of the year."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Double ten from Wade sees him take the opener.
0-2 - Wade breaks, hitting a 180 and a 116 checkout.
1-2 - van Gerwen punishes two misses from Wade to break back on double five.
2-2 - Tops sees the Dutch youngster level the game.
2-3 - Wade hits back to regain the lead by finishing 40.
2-4 - Wade breaks by finishing 68 on double ten.
2-5 - Another double ten finish sees Wade move three legs clear.
2-6 - van Gerwen misses double 11 to finish 124 and Wade follows an earlier 180 by landing tops to break again.
2-7 - Wade finishes double ten for a 14-darter.
3-7 - van Gerwen posts his first 180 of the game and finishes tops to hit back.
3-8 - Wade averts a potential break by firing in a 146 checkout.
3-9 - van Gerwen hits a 180 to leave 66, but misses tops to allow Wade in to hit double ten and break.
4-9 - The Dutchman punishes misses at double eight and four from Wade to break by hitting double 18.
4-10 - van Gerwen hits a 180 to leave 103, but misses tops to finish the combination and three further darts to win the leg as Wade steps in on double ten to break back.
5-10 - van Gerwen posts double eight to break and win his fifth leg of the game.
5-11 - van Gerwen opens with a maximum but Wade finishes 122 on the bull to win his 11th leg.
6-11 - Double six from van Gerwen sees him break back.
7-11 - van Gerwen punishes a missed double top from Wade by hitting the same bed to finish 65 - and shows his emotion at cutting the gap further.
8-11 - The Dutchman wins a third successive leg, hitting a 180 and punishing a miss at double 16 from Wade to hit the same bed for another break.
9-11 - van Gerwen continues his revival with a fine leg, leaving 40 after 12 darts and returning after Wade fires in a 177 to leave 24 to hit double five with his third dart.
9-12 - Wade wins his first leg in five, hitting another 177 to leave 24 before hitting double six.
10-12 - van Gerwen posts double 16 to hold throw and pull back to within touching distance.
11-12 - Wade opens with his seventh 180 of the game, but misses three darts at double ten and van Gerwen finishes 88 on the bull to break again.
11-13 - van Gerwen gives himself a chance to break on 65, but hits the bull instead of 25 with his first dart and then misses double six, allowing Wade to finish 72 on tops for a key leg.
11-14 - Wade opens with a 180 and finishes 86 confidently on double 16 to move two legs away from the match.
12-14 - van Gerwen kicks off the leg with 140 and 180 and lands double top for a 13-darter.
12-15 - Wade replies with a 13-darter of his own to move a leg away from the victory, hitting a 180 and finishing double five.
13-15 - van Gerwen keeps his hopes alive with tops to hold throw - but must break Wade to stay in the game.
13-16 - Wade finishes 71 in two darts to seal his place in the semi-finals.
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