World Matchplay: Michael van Gerwen fights back against Andrew Gilding to reach semi-finals

Michael van Gerwen clinched his place in the semi-finals of the World Matchplay in Blackpool with a gritty 16-10 win over Andrew Gilding.

The world number two from the Netherlands started slowly against Gilding before an eight-leg winning streak swung the contest his way.

Van Gerwen turned an 8-6 deficit into 14-8 lead as the Englishman struggled to find a response at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

“Everyone knows to play him [Gilding], it’s tough. He is very slow, and sometimes a bit boring to play,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

“But what a darts player. You need to always make sure you are on top of your game. I know I can do a lot better.”

Gilding, playing in the quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens for the first time, set the early pace with a 148 checkout in the third leg – the highest of the match.

Van Gerwen, who knocked teenager Luke Littler out of the tournament in the first round, found himself 6-3 down against the 53-year-old as he struggled for rhythm.

But the Dutchman nailed a 136 checkout to move within a leg of his opponent at 8-7 down as he embarked on a match-defining streak.

Gilding rallied towards the end but it was too late and 35-year-old Van Gerwen sealed victory with an 80 checkout on double tops.

Van Gerwen averaged 96.99 as he threw 100-plus 34 times during the match but was left irked by a double success rate of only 30%.

He added: “I missed too many doubles, it was hard. My doubles, I’m not happy with at all but overall I won and that’s the most important thing. In the end, I think I found another gear.”

In the last four, Van Gerwen will play Michael Smith, who cruised to a 16-7 win over English compatriot Rob Cross.

Smith powered into an 8-2 lead and never really looked back as a Cross frequently squandered legs which seemed to be his for the taking, missing 27 doubles.

“Rob’s doubles were non-existent early on. If he’s not going to take them, then I will. He was having three darts at doubles and not getting close,” Smith said.

“It’s a tough game against Van Gerwen next, so I have to step up.”