Adrian Lewis and Michael van Gerwen win World Matchplay quarter-finals
Friday 22 July 2016 12:33, UK
Adrian Lewis and Michael van Gerwen have booked a World Matchplay semi-final encounter after wins on Thursday.
Lewis persevered 16-14 in a back-and-forth tussle against Peter 'Snakebite' Wright before Van Gerwen eased to a 16-9 win over Dave Chisnall, taking another step to winning a second title at the Blackpool event.
The Stoke thrower missed four match darts and gave Wright hope of a late comeback before suddenly breaking his opponent's throw to seal the deal.
A sensational surge in the second half of the quarter-final handed Lewis a 14-11 lead, the first time either player had led by three legs.
Wright refused to wilt, hitting a nerveless double 16 to remain alive at 13-15. Lewis, with the darts in hand and a semi-final in sight, drew boos from the crowd for not attempting a 170 checkout then somehow allowed Wright to break.
But with the 13th break of the match, the 2013 runner-up Lewis emphatically snapped Wright's momentum and sent him hurtling out of the tournament.
Later, Chisnall won just two of the first 10 legs and Van Gerwen appeared to have an unassailable lead but complacency allowed his opponent to stage something of a comeback.
A three-leg winning run for Chisnall reduced Van Gerwen's lead to 12-7 - the mighty Dutchman had to muster a 130 checkout to creep over the finishing line.
Lewis and Van Gerwen's upcoming semi-final will be a rematch of their classic 2013 Matchplay last four match-up which 'Jackpot' won before losing the final to Phil Taylor.
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