SIMON WHITLOCK 16 – 10 James Wade
Simon Whitlock sealed his spot in the semi-finals of the Bet Victor World Matchplay with an excellent victory against James Wade in Blackpool.
Whitlock avenged his dramatic defeat at the hands of Wade at the same stage last year with a strong display, which included twelve 180s.
And the fourth seed, who averaged over 96 in the win, set his sets on winning the title after his last eight success.
“I’m really proud of that,” said the 2012 European Champion who is chasing his second PDC major.
“I had some demons in my head from last year but I’m playing well and I was in my zone and I was so happy with the way I played.
“I’ve come back strongly since the Premier League and I’m happy with my form. I’m so happy to be through.”
Wade set the tone for the tie by opening with a 180 before completing a 13-dart-leg on double top/
Whitlock kicked off the second leg with a maximum but he missed double ten for a 128 finish and could only watch as Wade took out 81 for an eleven-darter.
‘The Machine’ fired in another maximum as he moved three legs clear and he made it four with a 71 checkout.
Whitlock, who hadn’t been far behind in the scoring, moved up another gear by hitting back to back 180s in the fifth leg but his nine-dart attempt fell short when he missed treble 15with the seventh dart.
‘The Wizard’ did win the leg to break his opponent before another 180 helped him reduced the deficit to 4-2.
The next two legs went with the throw before Whitlock grabbed a break with the aid of his fifth maximum.
And the Australian made it five legs apiece by bedding double 16.
He returned from the break with his sixth 180 as he broke Wade’s throw to take the lead for the first time.
The world number four moved two legs ahead by pinning double ten to win his seventh leg out of eight.
Whitlock rattled in another 180 and produced a brilliant 126 checkout against the throw to increase his lead to 8-5.
He held before Wade eventually stopped the rot with his second 81 finish of the match only to see Whitlock restore his four leg advantage with a clinical kill of 74.
The Australian made it 11-6 with another break of throw by cleaning up 25 after narrowly missing the bull when attempting to take out 170.
Wade broke back immediately though, punishing ‘The Wizard’ for a missed dart at tops by taking out 64, before holding to move within three legs of his opponent.
The next three legs went with the throw before Whitlock picked off 110 to break with Wade waiting on 20.
And the Australian ace moved within a leg of victory by bedding tops but he missed that target for the match, allowing Wade to keep himself in the match with a tidy 78 finish.
He returned from the break in ruthless fashion though, upping his maximum tally to twelve before finishing the job on tops.
Whitlock will meet Michael van Gerwen or Dave Chisnall in Saturday’s semi-finals.