Paul Lim and Shane McGuirk sensationally stormed into the final of the WDF World Championship courtesy of whitewash wins at Lakeside on Saturday.
Lim, 70, became the oldest player in the sport’s history to reach a World Championship final as he thrashed 11th seed Jason Brandon in five sets.
The Singapore Slinger, who made his debut at Lakeside in 1982, continued his fairy-tale run in what could prove to be his farewell campaign on a World Championship stage.
After coming through a marathon seventh set decider against Jarno Bottenberg at 12.30am, Lim showed little sign of fatigue as he blitzed Brandon for the loss of just three legs.
Brandon, who dumped out 2022 champion Neil Duff in the quarter-finals, took the first leg before Lim reeled off three in a row to secure the opening set.
Lim then remarkably reeled off a further 11 consecutive legs to romp into a 4-0 lead before Brandon forced a decider in set five.
However, the 1990 nine-dart hero sealed victory in trademark fashion on the bullseye to set up a date with destiny on Sunday.
“I never expected to get this far,” admitted Lim.
“As it goes along I can feel like everything seems to be on my side. Everything is going right somewhere.
“I always believe in darts that you have to put the pressure on, but you need a bit of luck somehow.
“I’m lucky in some way but I created my luck because of pressuring my opponent and making them think that if they miss, I will hit.
“I want to win it for a lot of reasons. Lakeside has always been my starting point in my career.
“Years ago with the BDO, when Olly Croft started the World Championship, I was part of it. Things have gone, unfortunately, but when I looked at the wall when I came back here and all those people that I have known, some have gone and rest in peace, it has brought back a lot of memories.
“That’s what made me. I think I am known for what I did here on the nine-dart game more than anything else. It’s an honour.”
Lim will face a player 31 years his junior in the final, with McGuirk having created his own slice of history by becoming the first Republic of Ireland thrower to reach a World Championship final.
The PDC Challenge Tour star maintained his flawless record in his maiden Lakeside campaign by whitewashing Belgium’s Francois Schweyen 5-0.
It means McGuirk is still yet to drop a set in the tournament from 17 played and has averaged in excess of 90 in four of his five matches en route.
McGuirk landed six 180s and conceded just four legs as he swept aside Schweyen in little over an hour of playing time.
Meanwhile, Beau Greaves maintained her quest for a hat-trick of women’s world titles with a 3-0 success over Deta Hedman.
Another clash of the generations saw 20-year-old Greaves face an opponent 45 years her senior, but the youngster remains unbeaten at Lakeside after averaging 86 in a commanding victory which saw her landed six 180s.
Greaves will face another emerging star in Sunday’s final after 18-year-old Sophie McKinlay saw off Lerena Rietbergen 3-1 in the opening semi-final.
Scotland’s McKinlay came from a set down to reel off three on the spin and progress to the women’s final, before completing a unique double by defeating reigning champion Aurora Fochesato in successive sets later in the evening to reach the Girls’ final – where England’s Paige Pauling awaits.
Pauling, 16, dispatched Belgium’s Jentl Fransen in straight sets to reach her first Girls’ World Championship final.
England’s Jenson Walker and Archie Self will contest the Boys’ final after overcoming Florian Preis and Lex Paeshuyse 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.
WDF World Championship 2024 Semi-Final Results
Saturday December 7
Semi-Finals
Afternoon Session
Girls’ – Paige Pauling 2-0 Jentl Fransen
Boys’ – Jenson Walker 2-1 Florian Preis
Women’s – Sophie McKinlay 3-1 Lerena Rietbergen
Men’s – Francois Schweyen 0-5 Shane McGuirk
Evening Session
Girls’ – Sophie McKinlay 2-0 Aurora Fochesato
Boys’ – Archie Self 2-0 Lex Paeshuyse
Women’s – Beau Greaves 3-0 Deta Hedman
Men’s – Paul Lim 5-0 Jason Brandon
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