Simon Whitlock remains on course to be crowned World Champion after another sensational display saw him demolish bookies favourite Gary Anderson in the quarter finals.
The Wizard provided a master class in finishing to see off The Premier League winner, posting an impressive 42 percent success rate on his doubles. He reeled off five consecutive sets to set up a semi-final showdown with Andy Hamilton.
Anderson held his throw in the opening leg before Whitlock hit double top to do the same. The Flying Scotsman then produced a 151 finish to prevent Whitlock from snatching an early break of throw. It was Anderson who grabbed the first break of throw in the very next leg, as he hit double five to go a set in front.
The Wizard hit double 18 to take the lead in set two. He then slotted in his first 180 to put pressure on the Anderson throw, and he made it count by producing a stunning 121 finish on the bullseye. The Scotsman broke back and then held his throw to level the set before Whitlock struck back, hitting double four to leave the match tied at a set each.
Whitlock hit another maximum against the throw but was unable to get the break, as Anderson hit double one to edge in front. The Australian replied with his third 180 and went on to hit double top to hold his own throw. He then made his opponent pay for missed doubles with a ruthless two dart finish, taking out 74 against the throw to take the lead. The Wizard hit double eight to win the set and go ahead in the match for the first time.
Whitlock continued his charge, opening the first leg of the fourth set with back to back maximums, eventually hitting double one to hold his throw. The world number five then broke the Scotsman’s throw, but Anderson broke back straight away before holding to level the set. The Wizard conjured up his sixth 180 in response, going on to open up a two set advantage by hitting double seven.
The 2010 runner-up hit another maximum against the throw and took out 58 to win the first leg of set five. Whitlock produced another clinical checkout, this time 81, to move closer to claiming another set. He wrapped it up straight away by breaking throw again to increase his lead to four sets to one.
Anderson managed to break the throw in the first leg of the sixth set, and he hit tops to double his lead. The Wizard responded with a fantastic fourteen dart leg, before firing in another 180 on his way to another break of throw to leave himself throwing for the match. Whitlock almost won the match in superb style but just missed the bull for a 95 checkout, but he cleaned up the 25 to book his place in the semi-finals after another relentless performance.
Whitlock will play Hamilton on News Years Day for a place in the final.
By Chris Murphy