World Matchplay - Report and Statistics Quarterfinals 1

VAN GERWEN AND LEWIS SET UP BETVICTOR WORLD MATCHPLAY MEETING
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Adrian Lewis will meet in the BetVictor World Matchplay semi-finals on Saturday night after they enjoyed quarter-final victories over Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

Reigning World Matchplay champion van Gerwen continued his charge towards a second successive Blackpool triumph with a dominant display against Chisnall as the pair met at this stage for the third time in four years.
The world number one punished a slow start from Chisnall to open up leads of 2-0, 5-1 and 10-2 before the number nine seed sparked his challenge into life with a 116 checkout in leg 13. Van Gerwen replied with a 106 finish, but Chisnall cut the gap to 12-7 and 13-8 before a 130 checkout from the Dutchman moved him two legs away from victory. Chisnall replied with a 106 finish, but van Gerwen was too strong and finished 72 and 76 in the next two legs to secure his spot in the last four.

"I wasn't at my best tonight but I did enough to win the game," said van Gerwen. "Dave didn't turn up early on but I did the right things and the right time to win the game. I didn't play fantastic darts and I made a couple of mistakes but I won the game and that's the important thing. I feel comfortable but I'll have to concentrate in the semi-finals and be focused and punish Adrian when he makes mistakes because he always tests me. I'm looking forward to it."


Lewis edged past Peter Wright with a hard-fought 16-14 victory in a tight contest, which saw the Scot land a ten-dart finish and 12 maximums only to be knocked out as the 2013 finalist produced a superb second half to the contest.
A nervy opening saw Lewis lead by two legs on three occasions as he moved 2-0, 4-2 and 6-4 up only to be pegged back on each occasion by Wright, who then moved 8-7 and 10-8 up. Lewis, though, produced a stunning five-leg burst to turn the game around, hitting two 14-darters, and 11-darter and a 12-dart finish as he moved into a 13-10 advantage. Wright pulled back to 15-14 as Lewis twice failed to close out victory, but the Stoke star landed his ninth 180 before finishing double 13 for a 12-darter to finally seal the win.

"It was a battle," admitted Lewis. "We started slowly but it ended up being an awesome game and in the last ten to 15 legs I thought I played really well and I had to do that. The first half of the match we weren't scoring or finishing well, but the second half was fantastic and it was like someone flicked a switch on both of us. The last leg was great and it was a massive double 12 for me. Winning this tournament is my main target and I want to perform all the way through the match in the semis because I'll have to do. I can relax and enjoy the semi-final and I'm looking forward to it."


Statistics
Ave180sDoublesPlayervPlayer Ave180sDoubles
95.931214/44Wright 14:16Lewis97.33916/48
98.72916/42v.Gerwen 7:11Chisnall90.9359/24








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