PDC World Darts Cham
after breezing through the opening sets, but lack of concentration cost
him as Webster fought back, meaning the Dutchman’s victory was more
closely fought than it should have been.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
The world number two made a blistering start by finishing 121, 124 and
139 to win the opening set in only 39 darts, before taking the second
set 3-1 and the third in a deciding leg with a 128 finish.
Webster took the fourth set 3-1 despite an 11-darter from van Gerwen,
but the Dutchman had victory in his grasp after two more 100+ checkouts
helped him to take the fifth set.
Webster’s fightback began in the sixth set, which he edged in a deciding
leg thanks to a well timed 180, before he went on to take the seventh
without reply.
In the end it was all in vain for Webster as van Gerwen refocused and
went on to take the match in the eighth set, thanks in part to his eighth
100+ checkout.
“At the beginning I was very confident and I was playing great,” said
van Gerwen. “I hit a few great finishes but then I lost my focus and fell
asleep for two and a half sets.”
“I think it was a
very professional
job”
Adrian Lewis
“I lost concentration and I didn’t hit my high scoring and let him into
the game a bit, but I won and that’s the most important thing. I can’t
afford to do that to my opponent in the semi-finals.”
“I’m feeling good and I’m in the last four. I had a great game last year
against Adrian and I hope it will be the same again.”
Adrian Lewis set up a repeat of last years quarter final clash as he
breezed past James Wade to move into a semi-final with van
Gerwen.
Lewis took the game’s first three sets, the second and third
in a deciding leg, before the left-hander Wade hit back
to win the fourth without reply, hitting two 12-darters
in the process.
Lewis though took out 115 as he restored his cushion
by winning the fifth set with three successive legs,
before coming from a leg down in the next to secure
his semi-final spot.
“I think it was a very professional job,” said Lewis.
“I started well and took the first set comfortably, the
second and third sets weren’t as comfortable because I
gave James some chances but as soon as he missed I had
Photo: PDC/Lawre