Van Gerwen celebrates against Smith (Photo by Mark Robinson/PDC)
Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen will collide in the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay final after dispatching James Wade and Michael Smith respectively in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Humphries powered past 2007 champion James Wade 17-10 to progress to his first final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, while Van Gerwen battled past Michael Smith 17-13.
Van Gerwen defied a staggering 40 missed darts at doubles to see off Smith in the evening’s second semi-final and move through to his fifth Betfred World Matchplay final.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 25th leg with the pair locked level at 12-12 as Van Gerwen blasted in a sensational 136 checkout to break throw.
The Dutchman then clinched four of the next five legs to seal victory with a 98.4 average, and admitted: “It was a really weird game.”
“My scoring was really good but my doubles let me down, I don’t know how I missed so many.
“I could easily have been further ahead but I kept my head in the game and that was key tonight.
“I will have to be better in the final but I’m there and that’s all that matters.
“I know what I’m capable of; mentally I make it too hard for myself sometimes.
“Luke is a great player and he has been doing really well lately so I need to put him in his place tomorrow.”
Van Gerwen got off to a flying start as he landed a 161 checkout en route to a 4-1 lead, only for Smith to hit back with four consecutive legs to go in front.
Van Gerwen replied emphatically with a run of five straight legs to regain control at 9-5, but Smith rallied again to restore parity at 12-12 before the three-time champion landed a crucial 136 checkout to wrestle back the initiative.
The world number two defied his earlier finishing woes to reel off four of the next five legs and end Smith’s challenge for a maiden Matchplay crown.
Earlier in the evening, Humphries stormed into his seventh televised ranking final courtesy of a commanding win over a resurgent Wade.
The world number one registered his fourth consecutive ton-plus average (100.6) of the tournament to defy a typically tenacious effort from the left-hander.
Humphries clinched the opening two legs with finishes of 84 and 97, before Wade hit back to take the lead at 5-4 thanks to an 81 checkout.
Wade landed a 101 checkout to make it 6-5, but Humphries hit the afterburners and reeled off seven of the next eight legs to go 12-7 up, landing a terrific ten-darter along the way.
Wade dug deep with a 96 checkout to trail 12-9, but after narrowly missing double 14 for a 121 checkout, he watched Humphries hammer in a clinical 156 finish to go further clear at 14-9.
The reigning World Champion landed his eighth 180 and finished 76 to move to the verge of victory – which he duly completed on tops.
“It was a fantastic game, James would’ve probably won against anyone else tonight,” said Humphries.
“He was relentless, he never gave me a leg off and he was probably the better player for a lot of the match.
“I don’t know how I won 17-10, but I kept my performance to a high level throughout and I was deadly in the mid-part of the game.
“I’m really looking forward to the final, I’ve got my family coming down so it will be another proud occasion for me.”
Betfred World Matchplay 2024 Semi-Final Results
Saturday July 20
Luke Humphries 17-10 James Wade Michael van Gerwen 17-13 Michael Smith
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