PDC World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen beats Robert Thornton to semi-final spot
Friday 2 January 2015 10:35, UK
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen is through to the World Championship semi-finals after beating Robert Thornton 5-2 in an incredible game of darts at Alexandra Palace.
The Dutch thrower was in dominant form, averaging 105.26 for the match and hitting 13 180s on the way to booking his final-four spot.
Van Gerwen, who will face Gary Anderson in the semi-finals, also had to fend off a spirited fightback from world No 9 Thornton, who was also throwing top tungsten; hitting 14 180s and averaging 101.49.
Both players dropped throw in the opening two legs of the match but then Van Gerwen stormed in front, throwing a 10-dart leg, averaging 112.59 and hitting at least one 180 in all five legs of the first set.
The second set was much of the same with the Dutchman scoring heavily and cancelling out a good performance by Thornton, who hit two ton-plus checkouts in the set.
By the third it all looked over as Van Gerwen continued to dominate with his scoring and doubles. Thornton did manage to break the world No 1 but then fumbled when needing 18, which would have given him a two-leg lead. Instead, Van Gerwen broke back and then bulldozed his way to a 3-0 lead.
Comeback
The Thorn staged his comeback in the fourth set despite losing the first two legs. Van Gerwen narrowly missed a 170 checkout and was punished by Thornton, who then took out 90 with the bull to level things up. The Scotsman then threw an 11-dart leg to get his first set on the board.
In the fifth Van Gerwen's incredible average started to slip and dropped to a match low of 89. Thornton jumped on the opportunity and broke throw early on. He then snatched the set to give himself a real chance of levelling the game against the world champion.
The sixth set proved crucial and came down to a deciding leg. Thornton needed to hold his throw to take the set but dropped his high scoring and had a terrible leg at a costly time. Van Gerwen took advantage knowing he would have the darts to throw for his semi-final spot.
Despite some resilience from Thornton in the final set, Van Gerwen kept up his incredible standard and on throw took the win, wrapping things up with an incredible 170 checkout. Van Gerwen will play Anderson after the 2011 finalist defeated Peter Wright 5-1.
Van Gerwen told Sky Sports Darts: "At one point I was 3-0 up and I thought I was going to relax and play well and keep the form going. But Robert never gave up and he fought back really well.
"I needed to do everything to make sure I kept ahead. I was under pressure and after that I felt a bit nervous because I thought 'that's not going to happen to me', but what a game. Hitting that 170 was a big relief for myself and I couldn't have a better moment."
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