Chris Dobey into World Darts Championship semi-final - but denied North-East clash
CHRIS Dobey beat the nerves to overcome Gerwyn Price and book a place in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship.
But there was no Bedlington double at the Alexandra Palace as Callan Rydz was edged out by Michael van Gerwen in a eight-set thriller.
Dobey is into the last four for the first time in his career after rallying from two sets down to beat Price 5-3.
Price continued his trend of making a fast start but missed a number of doubles just as Dobey was finding his groove, averaging 113 in the third set as he began to make inroads.
Price missed the chance to clinch the fourth set and was made to pay as Dobey took that and the next two sets.
It was not all plain sailing – Dobey missed five match darts before finally sealing the deal with a pair of double 18s.
“I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today,” Dobey said.
“I was thinking about last year and kept thinking, ‘keep going, you will get another chance’. Luckily I found a way over the line. I’m overwhelmed.”
Rydz was looking to set up an all North-East semi-final clash and was immense in his quarter-final but couldn't find a way to beat an in-form van Gerwen.
The two men traded maximums in an enthralling contest before Van Gerwen capitalised on a Rydz miss to take it 5-3.
Newcastle's world number 43 Rydz was in scintillating form – having not lost a set at this year’s tournament before the quarter-finals – and hit another 17 maximums to take his total for the competition to 43, but he found his match in Van Gerwen.
The Dutchman, seeking a fourth world title, averaged 103.10 with 14 maximums of his own to battle his way through to a ninth career semi-final appearance.
“He gave me everything,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “He didn’t stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up, I thought I broke him but he never gave up.
“I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and I’m really happy with my performance. My game is in a good place. We are only in the semis, so it doesn’t mean anything yet.
“The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy. It’s one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I’m over the moon.”
