GARY ANDERSON WILL face Phil Taylor in tonight’s PDC World Championship final after beating Michael van Gerwen in an epic semi-final.
Defending champion Van Gerwen had been strongly fancied to retain his title at Alexandra Palace, but the Dutchman was beaten 6-3 by the clinical Anderson in a high quality semi-final on Saturday.
Scot Anderson let a 3-1 lead slip to lose 4-3 to Van Gerwen on the biggest darts stage of all in the 2014 tournament, but he was able to claim sweet revenge to reach his second PDC World Championship final.
Anderson, who averaged 102.2, was beaten by Adrian Lewis in the 2011 final, but looks capable of being crowned world champion for the first time on the evidence of this display.
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The 44-year-old, winner of the recent Players Championship Finals, rose to the occasion as he settled quickly and held his nerve to race into a 2-0 lead with Van Gerwen struggling to get going.
Van Gerwen then showed his class as he weighed in with three 12-darters to peg Anderson back at 3-3 in a thrilling match, but the world number one was unable to repeat his comeback against the Scot last year and progress to another final.
John Walton
John Walton
When Van Gerwen missed four darts to win the seventh set it seemed it would not be his day and Anderson duly punished him, breaking the champion to win the match in impressive fashion.
Anderson hit nine 180s compared to 11 for Van Gerwen, but the former’s ruthless finishing kept his dreams of winning the title alive.
While Anderson will be attempting to secure his maiden world title, Taylor is just a step away from winning the showpiece for a 17th time after he beat Raymond van Barneveld 6-2.
Taylor and Van Barneveld have done battle in some thrilling duals down the years and it was the 16-time champion who came out on top this time around to reach yet another final.
Taylor waves to the crowd.
The Englishman won 11 legs against the throw and averaged 102.39, while Van Barneveld tallied 13 180s but was second best.
Dutchman Van Barneveld fought back from two sets down to level at 2-2, but Taylor was not to be denied as he regained the upper hand and saw out the match in comfortable fashion.
Anderson stuns Van Gerwen to set up PDC World Championship final with Taylor
GARY ANDERSON WILL face Phil Taylor in tonight’s PDC World Championship final after beating Michael van Gerwen in an epic semi-final.
Defending champion Van Gerwen had been strongly fancied to retain his title at Alexandra Palace, but the Dutchman was beaten 6-3 by the clinical Anderson in a high quality semi-final on Saturday.
Scot Anderson let a 3-1 lead slip to lose 4-3 to Van Gerwen on the biggest darts stage of all in the 2014 tournament, but he was able to claim sweet revenge to reach his second PDC World Championship final.
Anderson, who averaged 102.2, was beaten by Adrian Lewis in the 2011 final, but looks capable of being crowned world champion for the first time on the evidence of this display.
The 44-year-old, winner of the recent Players Championship Finals, rose to the occasion as he settled quickly and held his nerve to race into a 2-0 lead with Van Gerwen struggling to get going.
Van Gerwen then showed his class as he weighed in with three 12-darters to peg Anderson back at 3-3 in a thrilling match, but the world number one was unable to repeat his comeback against the Scot last year and progress to another final.
When Van Gerwen missed four darts to win the seventh set it seemed it would not be his day and Anderson duly punished him, breaking the champion to win the match in impressive fashion.
Anderson hit nine 180s compared to 11 for Van Gerwen, but the former’s ruthless finishing kept his dreams of winning the title alive.
While Anderson will be attempting to secure his maiden world title, Taylor is just a step away from winning the showpiece for a 17th time after he beat Raymond van Barneveld 6-2.
Taylor and Van Barneveld have done battle in some thrilling duals down the years and it was the 16-time champion who came out on top this time around to reach yet another final.
The Englishman won 11 legs against the throw and averaged 102.39, while Van Barneveld tallied 13 180s but was second best.
Dutchman Van Barneveld fought back from two sets down to level at 2-2, but Taylor was not to be denied as he regained the upper hand and saw out the match in comfortable fashion.
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Darts Gary Anderson Michael Van Gerwen PDC World Championship Phil Taylor Raymond van Barneveld Review Upset