Scott Williams stuns Michael van Gerwen to reach World Championship Semi-Finals as Humphries, Littler and Cross also advance
Scott Williams produced a stunning upset as he defeated Michael van Gerwen 5-3 to reach the Semi-Finals of the World Darts Championship, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and Rob Cross also progressed.
A memorable start to the new year saw three players break new ground by reaching the Semi-Finals of the sport’s showpiece event for the first time, while one former champion pulled off an historic comeback.
Rank outsider Williams caused a seismic shock by ousting Van Gerwen, punishing 27 missed darts at doubles from the three-time champion to blow the tournament wide open.
The exuberant Englishman punished a lacklustre start from Van Gerwen to win the opening set in three straight legs, only for Van Gerwen to level with the aid of back-to-back 11-darters.
Van Gerwen edged back ahead in a scrappy conclusion to set three, but this only provided a temporary reprieve, as Williams reeled off the next six legs without reply to regain the initiative.
The Dutchman arrested his slump in set six to square up the contest, but Williams refused to relent, winning six of the next eight legs to complete a sensational scalp.
“Words can’t describe it,” admitted Williams, who averaged 96 and fired in 12 maximums to celebrate the biggest win of his career.
“Michael is the best player of our generation, so to have beaten him on this stage is just crazy.
“That wasn’t the Michael van Gerwen we’ve seen over the last three games. I could tell that he was just that little bit off tonight.
“As soon as the crowd got involved, that’s when I started playing my darts later on in the game, and I’m so happy to be through to tomorrow. I’m going to enjoy it regardless.”
Williams’ reward is a Semi-Final showdown against world number three Humphries, who powered in a 103.5 average to thrash Dave Chisnall 5-1.
Humphries had fought back from the brink to defeat both Ricardo Pietreczko and Joe Cullen in reaching the Last Eight, but he brushed aside Chisnall to preserve his hopes of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy.
The pair traded the opening two sets, but Humphries soon established control, landing 12 maximums and three ton-plus finishes – including set-winning 121 and 117 checkouts – to cap off a merciless display.
“I’ve been a three-time quarter-finalist, so I really wanted to make the next step tonight,” admitted Humphries, who would become the new world number one with victory over Williams.
“It was important for my confidence to put in a big performance tonight, and playing like that gives me the belief that I can go all the way now.
“The draw has been blown wide open, and it’s a massive opportunity for all four of us now. It’s exciting!
“If I can play like I did tonight, then I stand a great chance of becoming World Champion.”
Earlier in the day, 16-year-old sensation Littler continued his ground-breaking run with a 5-1 demolition of Brendan Dolan, registering his third ton-plus average of the tournament in the process.
The World Youth Champion recovered from 2-0 down in the opening set to draw first blood, before registering legs of 11, 12 and 14 darts to double his lead with a second set average of 121.
Littler continued the procession to stretch his lead to 4-0, and though Dolan landed a 118 checkout to open his account, Littler responded with a stunning 140 checkout on his way to a clean sweep in set six.
“It’s unbelievable. I never thought I would have made the semi-finals on debut,” admitted Littler, who averaged 102 and landed a trio of ton-plus finishes.
“Brendan played really well to beat Gezzy and Gary, but he was just another opponent in my way, and I managed to brush him aside!
“Now I really am dreaming. I’m two games away now, so I’m definitely thinking about lifting that title.
“I think it’s going to take something special to stop me based on my performances so far, but it depends what Rob Cross and Luke Littler turns up tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Cross produced an astonishing comeback from 4-0 down to deny Chris Dobey and become the first player in World Championship history to overturn a four-set deficit and prevail.
The 2018 World Champion found himself staring down the barrel following a blistering start from Dobey, who produced a sensational 161 checkout midway through set four.
Cross won six of the next eight legs to begin the comeback, and after surviving a match dart in a thrilling conclusion to set seven, he levelled the tie before kicking off the decisive set with 117 and 130 checkouts.
A dramatic finale saw the deciding set go to a tie-break, and after Dobey missed 71 to level in the eighth leg, Cross took out 70 to keep his hopes of lifting a second World Championship title alive.
“I really can’t put it into words,” admitted Cross, who averaged 100.7 and defied 17 maximums from Dobey to go through.
“Realistically, at 4-0 down I thought it was over, which is unusual for me. Chris settled much better than me in the early stages; he’s an unbelievable player.
“I’m never beaten, whoever I play in the world. I never go away. As I got closer to Chris I thought ‘this is on’ because I knew my best was still to come in the match.
“I will have to improve and settle quicker to win the tournament, but I believe I can win it.”
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World Darts Championship 2023/24 Quarter-Final Results
Monday January 1
Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey 4-5 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 5-1 Brendan Dolan
Evening Session
Michael van Gerwen 3-5 Scott Williams
Luke Humphries 5-1 Dave Chisnall
