Michael Smith crushed Rob Cross, who faced double trouble, to set up a successful World Matchplay semi-final against Michael van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen and Smith will face each other after overcoming Andrew Gilding and Rob Cross in their respective quarter-final clashes on Friday.
The Dutch superstar defied a lacklustre start to topple Gilding 16-10 in the first game of the night, before Smith swept home an off-colour cross to advance to a third semi-final in Blackpool.
The pair will now face off in a thrilling semi-final showdown at the Winter Gardens on Saturday, in a repeat of their epic 2023 World Championship final which involved the greatest round of darts ever!
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Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from a nine-dart lead before Michael Smith achieved the feat in last year’s World Championship final.
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Michael Smith says he took full advantage of Rob Cross’ missed doubles as he reached the semi-finals for the third time
Smith did what he had to do by demolishing Cross, who will have nightmares about the double 16.
‘Bully Boy’ has had a difficult time since winning the World Championship 18 months ago, failing to win a major title since.
But winning a Pro Tour event and teaming up with Luke Humphries to win the World Cup of Darts seems to have brought the St Helens hurler back to life and he is a contender to win a first Matchplay crown.
He was the better player but was the victim of some wayward finishing, with Cross getting yips on double 16.
The 2019 champion missed 12 attempts at the bed and it proved costly as Smith cruised to a 16-7 victory.
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Smith produced this majestic top-heavy finish in his win over Cross
“I just told Rob that his doubles early on were non-existent and I was just going to step in and take my shots,” he said.
“If he doesn’t take them, I’ll take them all day and now I’m in the semi-finals.
“Every time I turned around I thought he was going to miss because he had three darts at 32 and Rob Cross didn’t miss them.”
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Cross had a disappointing night in D16 as he lost to Smith and even Wayne Mardle couldn’t hide his frustrations on commentary
MVG forced to overcome boredom
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Michael van Gerwen struggled to keep up with Andrew Gilding’s pace
Van Gerwen found himself embroiled in a full-on brawl with Gilding from the opening exchanges in the first televised encounter between the pair since Gilding stunned the Dutchman to win the UK Open last year.
However, the three-time champion delivered in the second half of the competition, winning ten of the last 12 legs to advance to a seventh World Matchplay semi-final.
Van Gerwen was not happy with his doubles finish and also found it difficult to fight Gilding’s pace.
“It was a really difficult match, everyone knows playing against him is difficult, he is very slow,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s a bit boring to play, but what a darts player! You have to be on top of your game. It was tough, I have to admit. Sometimes it was difficult.
“I missed too many doubles, it was tough but in the end I found another speed and I was able to win the game.
“I know I can do much better. I fight my own battles.”
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Gilding hits 132 over the mile to send the Blackpool crowd wild
The best stage ever? | Can Smith and MVG repeat their nine-dart drama?
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Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke reacted to the sensational round between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in the World Championship final which ended in a nine-dart victory for Bully Boy
What’s happening at the World Matchplay on Saturday?
Van Gerwen aims to win fourth World Matchplay title in Blackpool
The Betfred World Matchplay 2024 continues at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, with the semi-finals on Saturday 20 July on Sky Sports Action from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30pm. Get instant access to World Matchplay for £26 with NOW.
World number one Luke Humphries will face 2007 champion James Wade in the first match of the evening, before Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith renew their rivalry for a place in Sunday’s final.
This iconic summer tournament sees the world’s biggest stars compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize money.
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