Gabriel Clemens thrashes Gerwyn Price to storm into World Darts Championship Semi-Finals
Gabriel Clemens continued his historic run at the World Darts Championship with a 5-1 demolition of top seed Gerwyn Price to reach the Semi-Finals at Alexandra Palace on New Year’s Day.
Clemens had already made history by becoming the first German player to reach the Quarter-Finals of the PDC World Championship, and he created further headlines with a remarkable rout of the 2021 World Champion.
An unforgettable clash created a further global talking-point after Price resorted to wearing noise-cancelling ear defenders during the fifth set.
Price had made a blistering start to the contest, producing 140 and 110 checkouts in consecutive legs to draw first blood in winning the opening set without Clemens having a dart at a double.
However, the German number one responded magnificently, posting ton-plus averages to win each of the next two sets, and then converting a stunning 136 finish en route to a 3-1 lead.
In an unprecedented attempt to block out the noise from the partisan German fans, Price returned from the interval wearing a set of ear defenders.
The move, however, did little to change the Welshman’s fortunes as Clemens fired in an 11-darter to wrap up set five, before completing a clean sweep in set six to extend his dream run.
“I think this will be amazing for darts in Germany,” said Clemens. “This was the biggest match of my life and it’s my best performance on the stage. I’m so happy.”
“Michael Smith is the Grand Slam champion, one of the favourites for the tournament and one of the best players in the world, but I will have my chances.
“I think it will be a good game. I am only focusing on the semi-finals, and I think I can beat every player.”
Meanwhile, Grand Slam champion Michael Smith moved to within a win of his third World Championship final in five years with a hard-fought 5-3 defeat of Stephen Bunting.
Smith, who came through a seventh-set decider against Martin Schindler in the last 16, looked to be cruising into the final four as he raced into a 4-1 lead against his St Helens rival.
However, 2021 semi-finalist Bunting came roaring back, winning six of the next seven legs to reduce the arrears to 4-3 and threaten an extraordinary fightback.
Nevertheless, the eighth set saw Bunting spurn a string of darts at doubles and Smith capitalised, holding his nerve on double ten to advance to the last four for the second straight year.
“I wasn’t at my best up there today,” admitted Smith, who will become the new world number one if he scoops the £500,000 top prize on January 3.
“I managed to dig deep when I needed it and when I was under pressure I managed to hit doubles.
“For most of the tournament I’ve been winning ugly, but I’m into the semi-finals.
“I put myself under too much pressure. Today felt weird on stage, but I when I needed to produce something I found it.”
Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen stormed through to the Semi-Finals courtesy of a 5-0 demolition of a helpless Chris Dobey.
The Dutchman raced to victory in just over 33 minutes of play, averaging 102, landing five 180s and relinquishing just three legs en route to a crushing win.
“I feel good – Chris didn’t play his game but I put him under pressure from the beginning,” said Van Gerwen, who posted his fourth consecutive ton-plus average at this year’s World Championship.
“If Michael van Gerwen turns up, he is going to win the game, but you need to make sure your preparation is right, your focus is good.
“You need to believe in your own opportunities and your own ability, and that’s what I do.
“I have learnt from my defeats in the last few years and I’ve come back stronger. I feel comfortable, my belief is back and I’m looking forward to the semi-finals.”
In the day’s opener, Dimitri van den Bergh moved through to the Semi-Finals for the first time in his career, running out a 5-3 winner in a hard-fought battle against Jonny Clayton.
The Belgian number one, starring in his third Ally Pally Quarter-Final, fought back from 3-2 down, winning three consecutive sets to break new ground in the capital.
Clayton’s clinical combination finishing proved decisive in the opening exchanges, but Van den Bergh’s superior scoring power catapulted him to victory, as he landed 13 maximums to triumph.
“I’m one step closer to make my dream come true of becoming a PDC World Champion,” said Van den Bergh, who becomes the first Belgian to reach the Semi-Finals of the sport’s flagship event.
“It was a battle up there today, I had a few moments when I felt comfortable but I missed my chances in the early stages.
“Jonny had chances too but thankfully he didn’t take them and I’m delighted to be through.
“It is special to finally pull through to the semi-finals but I still haven’t shown my best yet; I think I have the game to go all the way.”
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World Darts Championship 2022/23 Quarter-Final Results
Sunday January 1
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Dimitri van den Bergh 5-3 Jonny Clayton
Michael Smith 5-3 Stephen Bunting
Evening Session
Gerwyn Price 1-5 Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen 5-0 Chris Dobey
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