Ayres sees off Wade

Wade: shock defeat

Quarter-Finals
Tony Ayres 10-9 James Wade
Gary Anderson 10-6 Andy Hamilton
Denis Ovens 10-3 Wes Newton
Phil Taylor 10-2 Adrian Lewis

Semi-Finals
Tony Ayres v Gary Anderson
Denis Ovens v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs

Followed by Final - best of 21 legs

Tony Ayres' dream run in the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open continued as he won through to the semi-finals in Bolton, where he is joined by Gary Anderson, Denis Ovens and Phil Taylor.

Ayres, the world number 62, had won through to his first ever ranking quarter-final at the Reebok Stadium with four victories since Thursday night.

The Billingshurst-based star then knocked out 2008 champion James Wade to reach the semis, prevailing 10-9 in a brilliant encounter.

Ayres led 3-0 and 7-4 before Wade hit back to lead for the first time at 9-8, only to then miss three match darts as the newcomer to the big stage held his nerve with a sensational 152 finish before winning the decider in 13 darts.

"I don't know what to say!" admitted Ayres. "I've done brilliantly this weekend and enjoyed it, and I've thrown the darts I know I can play.

"When James has darts at double top for the match you expect to be out, but he missed and I took my chance. I'm not scared of anyone at the moment and I can't wait for the semi-finals."

Chance

Ayres' chance to prove that will come against Gary Anderson in Sunday evening's semi-finals, after the Scot superbly defeated Andy Hamilton 10-6 with a 106.49 average.

Anderson also missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during the game, having been on the receiving end of a perfect leg during his win over Mervyn King in the previous round.

The other semi-final sees reigning champion Phil Taylor face Denis Ovens, who won through to the last four of a televised event for the first time with a fine 10-3 rout of Wes Newton.

Ovens was in control from the opening leg and led 5-0 before wrapping up the win with a 101 average thanks in part to six 180s.

Taylor, meanwhile, swept aside Stoke rival Adrian Lewis 10-2 to reach the last four with an average of 108.52 and a clinical checkout ratio of 53 percent.

The quartet return on Sunday evening at 7pm to challenge for the £40,000 title in the semi-finals and final across one session.