SIMON WHITLOCK 5 – 4 Ian White
Simon Whitlock is in the semi-finals of the World Championships after fending off a fightback from Ian White on Saturday evening.
Whitlock, who led 3-0 and 4-1, eventually got over line in a ninth set tie-break to set up a last four clash with Peter Wright, who he will meet on Monday as he bids to reach his second final at London’s Alexandra Palace.
“I thought I’d lost it then so I’m over the moon to win,” admitted world number four Whitlock, who fired in 15 180s.
“I had to dig really deep and I found some big darts at the end there. I’m on the top of the world right now.
“Ian was magnificent so hats off to him. I’ve got a big chance now and I’ll be ready for the semi-final.”
White threw first and held with an eleven-darter but ‘The Wizard’ won the next three legs to take the opening set.
He doubled his lead, as he edged the second set 3-2, hitting a 180 in every leg.
Whitlock produced a fine finish of 136 to move ahead in set three, which he went on to win 3-1, completing a PDC World Championship record run of 14 consecutive sets without reply from the start of a tournament.
That run was ended when White edged the fourth set 3-2, but the Australian reeled off the next three legs to move within a set of victory.
White kept the match alive though by taking the next two sets, which included a 134 finish from Whitlock, while both players upped their 180 counts to nine.
White then levelled the match, taking the eighth set 3-1 to force a decider.
The Stoke thrower hit his twelfth 180 as he edged in front but Whitlock’s 13th helped him level.
And he added a 14th as he grabbed a break of throw, only to see his opponent reply in kind to take the match to a tie-break.
‘The Wizard’ punished White for two missed darts at tops by bedding double four to break, before sealing the win with the help of his 15th maximum.
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