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Michael van Gerwen will be hoping for a fourth Ally Pally title after Luke Humphries also advanced and was stopped by Scott Williams in the quarter-finals. The World Darts Championship runs until the final on January 3rd. The semi-final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm on Tuesday.
by Raz Mirza @ Alexandra Palace, London
22:46, UK, Monday 1 January 2024
Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of winning a fourth World Darts Championship title were summarily dashed by Scott Williams in the quarter-final stage on New Year’s Day.
Williams completed a sensational five-on-three scalp of Van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, punishing 27 missed darts in doubles to set up a clash with Luke Humphries.
Scott Williams beats Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals in the biggest shock in World Darts Championship history
Williams took the first set straight leg and charged out of the blocks, but “Mighty Mike” made 11 consecutive darters for an 81 and, despite the misses, won the second set 3-1 with a set average of 116.71. Concluded. 12 darts in a double.
Van Gerwen took control of the third set with a double 16 after an impressive 121 checkout.
Van Gerwen achieved this amazing 121 finish in the quarter-final match against Williams
However, the Dutchman pitched a terrible set averaging 78 points before Williams took it 3-0 and it was back evenly at 2-2.
Van Gerwen looked to have fallen off a cliff when Lincolnshire showman Williams hit six legs on the spin to take a 3-2 lead, but the three-time world champion quickly equalized with three successive legs. He restored his grades and stopped corruption.
‘Shaggy’ came close to a sensational victory after another crucial mistake from the world No. 2 player sealed the seventh set at 3-1, before taking the eighth set at 3-1. He secured a spot in the last four with either Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall.
Williams said he probably should have beaten Van Gerwen a little easier after defeating the pre-tournament favorite.
“I just knocked out the best player in the world,” Williams said. sky sports.
“He wasn’t the Michael van Gerwen we’ve seen in the last few games, but that’s not my problem.
“I hit doubles, but I think it could have been a little easier. I really like the way we played there. I love the crowd.”
Wayne Wardle was surprised by van Gerwen’s ‘erratic’ appearance during defeat
Wayne Mardle called Williams’ win a “huge shock”, but also admitted he gave the Dutch ace a “number”.
Hawaii 501 reported that “Michael Van Gerwen usually loses to someone who is already a big hitter, a world champion or a major champion.”
“Scott Williams did a lot for him. He was there to clean up when he had to clean up and he put it together really well.
“Even Luke Littler and Rob Cross have acknowledged it…’What!?’ What a great opportunity for everyone who remained in the tournament. ”
Luke Humphries reaches the semi-finals with this magical 117 checkout
Williams will face Humphries in the semi-finals after ‘Cool Hand’ defeated Dave Chisnall 5-1 with an average of 103.50, 12 180s, 40 percent in doubles and a high checkout of 164. Become.
The World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship winner broke new ground in Ally Pally with a 17-game winning streak.
“It felt weird to be the frontrunner for once,” Humphries said. “I’ve gotten used to a lot of comebacks over the last few days and I was really happy to be myself.
“I’m glad I was able to come forward and keep pushing hard. And I didn’t give up. Chizzy played really well, he made it really tough for me.”
“The first few games I didn’t feel like myself. Tonight I showed the form I’ve shown in the last few majors.
“I was able to play as much as I needed to.”
Humphries thinks World Championship is wide open after Van Gerwen’s exit to Williams
How Littler set up the cross semi-final…
A look back at the best action from the afternoon session of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals
Luke Littler’s incredible Alexandra Palace journey continued this afternoon after he became the youngest ever semi-finalist with a 5-1 win over Brendan Dolan in the quarter-finals.
“History Maker” Dolan defeated former world champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson, but was no match for Littler. Littler finished with an average of 101.93 points, thrilling Ally Parry die-hard fans.
Luke Littler’s best moments from the quarterfinals vs. Brendon Dolan
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I never expected to reach the semi-finals in my debut year,” he said.
“Brendan was another opponent who got in my way, but I brushed him off and now I’m in the semi-finals.
“Given my performance so far, it’s going to take a lot to stop me, but it’s important whatever Luke Littler finds.
“I have the ability to go all the way, even if it doesn’t happen tomorrow night.
“I know we have a good chance and I have a good feeling that we can go all the way tomorrow.”
Littler believes he is one of the best in the game when it comes to managing the board and is considering lifting that title.
When Chris Dobie played one of the games of his life, he lost his spot in the final after ‘Voltage’ looked dead and buried when he was down 4-0 after just 45 minutes. He will face Rob Cross for the title.
But the off-stage break worked wonders for Cross, bringing the former electrician back to life.
He won four sets himself and then 130 for an impressive win, but will need to improve to stop Littler’s momentum.
“Everyone loves an underdog story,” he said. “As a general public and people watching the game, everyone loves an underdog story.
“I don’t mean to be rude, I’m on his side, I love underdog stories.
“Even though it was my first win, it took a little bit of pressure off me.
“He’s great and deserves all the luck in the world. He’s a nice lad. But we’re playing darts tomorrow and I have to go to work.”
Cross overcame Chris Dobbie from a 4-0 deficit and accomplished the “miracle of darting”!
Teenager took selfie after punching Brendan Dolan
What’s happening on the night of the World Darts Championship semi-finals?
Littler will face 2018 champion Cross in the first semi-final, but he will be ready to compete on the biggest stage after beating British Open champion Andrew Gilding and his hero Raymond van Barneveld to the last eight. He has already proven that it can be done, he claimed. He will face Dolan on New Year’s Day.
Cross produced one of Alexandra Palace’s most memorable comebacks after winning 4-0 against Chris Dobie, winning four sets himself and then 130 for a famous victory.
‘Shaggy’ Scott Williams, who knocked out three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, will take on ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries for Ally Pally’s first title shot.
Humphries entered the tournament as the favorite to win three of the past four majors, but survived a sudden-death leg against Joe Cullen in the final round and endured a bumpy road to the final eight.
However, he returned to his best form in the quarter-finals, defeating Dave Chisnall 5-1.
The sport’s biggest event will see the remaining players compete at Alexandra Palace for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5 million in prize money.You can watch all the action live on our dedicated channel sky sports darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship live until the final on January 3, 2024 on Sky Sports Darts.Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract now
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