Darts results: Peter Wright beats Michael van Gerwen in classic at World Matchplay
Peter Wright beat Michael van Gerwen 17-10 in a match of the highest quality at the Betfred World Matchplay.
The only thing missing was a nine-dart finish, which Wright came within a dart of hitting, as these two champions produced stunning levels from first to last.
Wright's performance in particular was spectacular, averaging in excess of 110, hitting a dozen maximums and three big finishes as he ran riot against his old rival.
Van Gerwen will feel no better for the fact his own performance would likely have won almost any other match, but the surge Wright produced to go from 5-4 ahead to a commanding 10-4 lead deserved a place in the final.
Wright won the first four of those legs in just 45 darts and will now bid for his first victory in the event, having lost the final to Phil Taylor in 2017.
He secured victory when another 12-dart finish ended things and will now be favourite on Sunday.
πππππ§ π£ππ₯ππππ§ πππ₯π§π¦ π©
β PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 24, 2021
Peter Wright wires the D12 for perfection, but a 10-dart break gives 'Snakebite' an 8-4 lead!
He's averaging over 110! π€― pic.twitter.com/gj4hSRXX4w
An emotional Wright, who cried after victory, said: "It was tears of joy at the end because Jo [Wright's wife] will be here tomorrow. She's done an amazing job - she had her operation last Thursday and came straight to Blackpool so that she could do my hair.
"I told her that she had to stay home and rest but she wanted to come. I'd promised her that she could come to the final if I got there."
Wright added: "I thought he played really well there and it felt like an amazing game. You know Michael can reel off legs and he did that, but I had to ride that burst of fantastic legs.
"Michael's the best player in the world and we all know it. For me to be favourite against him shows how well I've been playing and my darts have backed that up. It's probably one of my best performances.
"I've dreamed about winning this and picking up that trophy, and now I'm one game away from achieving that dream."
Van den Bergh powers into final
Dimitri Van den Bergh turned on the afterburners to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 17-9 and become the first man into the final, where Wright now awaits.
The defending champion has been one of the stars of the event so far, seeing off Gerwyn Price en route to Saturday's semi-final, where for the first time he looked vulnerable at 6-2 down.
From there, though, Van den Bergh won 15 of 18 legs to demolish his Polish opponent and keep the dream alive for those who followed Chris Hammer's advice to back him at 14/1.
Van den Bergh beat eighth seed Gary Anderson to win the title last year and may well expect a stiffer examination from Wright, with whom he stayed during last summer's Covid lockdown.
Just a little competition for you all to say thanks for following our darts coverage: A World Matchplay programme signed by Dimitri Van den Bergh, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright.
β Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 23, 2021
Retweet to enter (you don't have to follow unless you want my darts ramblings) and good luck! pic.twitter.com/UVkXqJ8wu7
The defending champion credited the return of a sell-out crowd for his victory, saying: "I'm ecstatic, with the way the game started, I needed the crowd."Krzysztof missed some doubles and I battled back and took my chances, but even when I got in front I didn't feel in control - but I'm in the final now."
The defending champion also credited the return of a sell-out crowd for his victory, adding: βThe crowd knocked me off my feet tonight - it was such a feeling and I can only thank them.
βIt would be a dream come true to be the back-to-back World Matchplay champion.
"I've done it before with the World Youth Championship and to have the chance to win this in front of a crowd is a dream. I want to give the crowd a fantastic game, and I would love to lift the trophy again.β
Darts tipster Carl Fletcher tipped Wright and Van den Bergh both to win and throw most 180s at 7/2 - check back on Sunday morning for our preview of the final
Saturday July 24 (1900 BST)
Semi-Finals (best of 33 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Dimitri Van den Bergh 17-9 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Peter Wright 17-10 Michael van Gerwen
Sunday July 25 (2030 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Dimitri Van den Bergh v Peter Wright
CLICK HERE FOR WORLD MATCHPLAY FINAL BETTING PREVIEW, STATS AND TIPS
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