World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen holds off Callan Rydz to reach semi-finals as Chris Dobey beats Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in a high-quality quarter-final at the World Darts Championship to set up a last-four clash with Chris Dobey.

Van Gerwen, who has now reached the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace nine times, produced his best performance of the tournament so far, and needed to as both players averaged over 100.

The Dutchman is looking to win a fourth world title and will face Dobey, who defeated Gerwyn Price 5-3 in the first match of the afternoon.

“He gave me everything. He didn’t stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up I thought I broke him but he never gave up,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

“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. He kept me constantly under pressure It’s one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I’m over the moon.

“I’ve had a tough year and have been battling everywhere. I’m still here and believe in my own ability. This means a lot to me.”

The opening two sets were shared as Rydz knocked in back-to-back 12-darters to make it 1-1.

Van Gerwen edged a tight third set before Rydz came back, only to miss a set dart to go 3-2 ahead.

Instead, Van Gerwen, who had two serious attempts at a nine-darter but failed to execute, moved a set clear again and raced into a 4-2 lead.

Rydz won a thrilling seventh set with a tops-tops finish but ‘The Riot’ missed two set darts to send the match into a decider as Van Gerwen produced a final moment of quality to get through.

Dobey fights back to reach semis for first time

Dobey reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for the first time, coming from two sets down to beat Price 5-3.

Just like his previous two matches, Price made a fast start before beginning to miss key doubles and was punished by Dobey, who averaged 113 in the third set as he started his comeback.

Price missed a set dart in the fourth as Dobey levelled the match before winning the next two sets.

The Welshman, who continued to rue several missed doubles, was booed by the crowd at the start of the seventh set after he reacted with a wild celebration.

It seemed to spur Price on as he capitalised on five missed match darts from Dobey to pull a set back before dancing on the Alexandra Palace stage.

But Dobey, who was competing in his third successive quarter-final, kept his nerve and dominated the last set, winning with a spectacular 20-D18-D18 checkout.

“Getting over that defeat [to Rob Cross] last year and getting over the line this year means so much,” Dobey told Sky Sports.

“I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today. 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.

“He [Price] didn’t give it as much as I thought he would. That might have helped me.

“I’m buzzing to get that win. I probably wouldn’t have done it without this crowd.”

The final two quarter-finals begin at 7pm later on Wednesday, with Peter Wright taking on Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler facing Nathan Aspinall.

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