Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Glen Durrant and Chris Dobey will star in the semi-finals of the 2019 BoyleSports World Grand Prix after coming through their quarter-final ties in Dublin on Thursday.
A thrilling night of darts at the Citywest Convention Centre saw reigning champion Van Gerwen continue his bid to retain the title for the first time with a hard-fought 3-1 win against Mervyn King, and he will now face Dobey, who continued his dream debut with a 3-2 triumph over Ian White.
Chisnall overcame Nathan Aspinall 3-1 in a high-quality affair to set up a meeting with Glen Durrant after the World Matchplay semi-finalist edged out Jermaine Wattimena 3-2 to book a spot in tonight's last four.
The repeat of the 2012 final between Van Gerwen and King was the star attraction on Day Five of the double-start event, with King pushing four-time champion Van Gerwen to produce some of his best darts.
There is only one MVG & tonight he played another terrific match to reach the semi finals of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix@MvG180 speaks to @BoyleSportsSK about his performance 🎯 @OfficialPDC @livedarts @SkySportsDarts #WGP2019 @BoyleSportsLB pic.twitter.com/gFWMzqDrOh
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) October 10, 2019
Van Gerwen took a 1-0 lead after two set darts went begging for King, who then matched the Dutchman's 170 checkout with the maximum finish himself to level at 1-1 in sets.
The third set went the way of Van Gerwen 3-1, but King's reply was immediate in the opening leg four as he raised the roof with a 132 checkout.
With King 2-1 up in the fourth, he then missed a dart at double 18 to take the match to a deciding set and Van Gerwen took full advantage, pinning double eight to make it 2-2 before outscoring King in the set five decider, sealing victory on double top.
GLEN DURRANT IS INTO THE SEMI-FINALS!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 10, 2019
He was a World Matchplay Semi-Finalist and now he's a World Grand Prix Semi-Finalist!
He defeats Jermaine Wattimena 3-2 in an incredibly tense affair... pic.twitter.com/RFq1BNgbxL
"I think it was a phenomenal game from both of us, but I proved why you should never write off MvG," said Van Gerwen.
"He pushed me through the roof, he never gave up and I think we saw Mervyn at his best tonight. He's a top class player with an incredible talent.
"Now I will have a good night's rest and I will be ready for tomorrow. I think the longer format will favour me in my game with Chris.
"Van Gerwen's next test will come from rising star Dobey, who continued his sensational impact in his first World Grand Prix appearance with five ton-plus checkouts in a win over White.
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