Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld are refusing to accept a showdown between them

in the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship is now guaranteed.

The duo are through to the last four, and stopping them from setting up an eagerly-awaited clash for the £100,000 first prize are two players whose progress to this stage has been unexpected

Taylor meets Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton, a quarter-finalist two years ago when he first burst on to the scene and who has made continuous improvement since then.

Van Barneveld is up against Andy Jenkins, who has been ranked among the top dozen for several years but only now has strung together a decent World Championship run for the first time.

Of the big guns, only the Dutchman is allowing himself to look further ahead than tonight's semi-finals. But 'Barney' does not consider it automatic he will face the 13-time champion.

"The final is what I'm aiming for," said the four-time winner of the Lakeside version of the world title. "That's why I'm here. I'm focused on the final and hopefully it will be against Phil.

"On paper it should be me and Phil in the final. But if it's me against Andy Hamilton, that's okay.

"Don't forget Andy Hamilton and Andy Jenkins are brilliant players. They have both had a great championship.

"I've known Andy Jenkins for years. I've played him so many times on the circuit and I couldn't believe he had never got past the second round of a World Championship before. Maybe it's his year."

There is healthy respect between Van Barneveld and Taylor, which means if they meet it will be no grudge match like the one between the title-holder and Chris Mason that was full of acrimony.

"Phil is so complete, he's so dedicated," said the 39-year-old from The Hague.

"I love the man. He's a very good friend of mine. Since February when I joined the PDC we have had very good contact.

"I think we are quite similar. We both go to bed early, practise a lot and live for our sport."

Taylor feels tonight's matches will be much closer than the quarter-finals in which he and his new arch-rival dropped only one set between them.

"I think you will see two good semi-finals - neither of them will be 6-0," predicted 'The Power'.

"Andy Jenkins won't roll over against Raymond. He's relaxed, he's under no pressure and is here to win the tournament. He has had a personal tragedy and I think he will dedicate it to his father if he wins. I did exactly the same when my dad died.

"And I've got Andy Hamilton, who is a grinder. He keeps on and on and is a cracking player. I class him as being like John Lowe. He is very methodical and his style never alters.

"You can't force him to go faster or slower, he's just the same on every shot. He will get better and will be world champion one day.

"But if Andy is to beat me he will have to earn it, just as I'll have to earn it to beat him."