Saturday 11 October 2014 07:13, UK
James Wade progressed to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix after notching a rare 3-1 victory over Phil Taylor in Dublin.
Wade had not beaten Taylor in a televised tournament since 2008 but took an early lead and did not look back at the Citywest Hotel.
‘The Power’ was well in contention during a tight contest which saw the first three sets go to deciding legs, but his double shooting ultimately let him down.
“How I beat him then probably wasn’t a true reflection of how Phil can play,” Wade told Sky Sports.
“I think the crowd (who often booed Taylor) played a massive part in it. Do I agree with it? No, but I’ll take it.”
He added: “Every time I play Phil I show him a little too much respect. He’s the best in the world, no-one is even close to his ability (when he does) what he can do.
“Over the years I’ve probably showed him a little bit too much respect, but after that game I can start again against Phil.”
Taylor took out 128 on the bull to break Wade’s throw in the first set, but the double champion in Dublin broke back with a 108 finish as Taylor missed three darts for the set.
In the deciding leg Taylor squandered three more darts for the set before Wade took out his favoured double 10 to go 1-0 up.
Taylor was again well placed in the second set but Wade hit a 142 finish to force a deciding leg, which he won when Taylor missed another dart for the set.
Wade was pegged back from the brink of victory at 2-1 up in the third set but in the fourth Taylor’s comeback collapsed as Wade reeled off three straight legs, completing the win with back-to-back finishes of 104 and 101.
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen survived a huge scare against Mervyn King to scrape into the last four after battling his way to a 3-2 victory.
King took control of the contest by winning two of the first three sets, but was whitewashed in the fourth set as the world champion fought back to level terms.
King had the advantage of throwing first in the deciding set and twice moved into the lead only for van Gerwen to salvage a save on his own throw each time, meaning the clash went to a final leg shoot-out.
King again had throw but van Gerwen managed to produced a break at the last possible opportunity to come away with the win.
Stephen Bunting progressed to a last four clash against van Gerwen after recording a 3-1 victory against Richie Burnett, the reigning Lakeside champion posting an average of 93.83 over the course of the match.
Wade, meanwhile, will face Gary Anderson in the last four after the Scot held off a comeback from Kevin Painter to clinch a 3-2 win in their quarter-final clash.
Anderson won the first two sets but Painter fought back to get back on level terms, taking out a 152 finish against the throw to win the deciding leg of the fourth set.
But Anderson broke in the opening leg of the deciding set and then took out 116 to go 2-0 up. Painter took a leg back before Anderson hit a 101 finish to win the match.
