Grand Slam of Darts - Day Eight, Report and Statistics

TAYLOR AND LEWIS SET UP ALL-STOKE SEMI-FINAL AT WILLIAM HILL GRAND SLAM OF DARTS
Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis will clash in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals after picking up quarter-final wins over James Wade and Kim Huybrechts on Saturday night.

Taylor continued his bid to win a fifth Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-12 win against Wade in a tense last eight contest at the Wolverhampton Civic.
The World Champion looked set to race to victory when he won seven successive legs in taking a 9-2 lead - including a superb 143 checkout - only for Wade to fight back, reducing the gap to 12-10 at one stage. Taylor won the next three legs, and though Wade hit double ten and a 121 finish to keep his hopes alive, a miss at double top in the next leg allowed the Stoke ace to follow a 174 score by hitting double ten for the win.

"It was a great comeback from James and he had me worried," admitted Taylor. "It was a really hard game and I wasn't at my best, but sometimes you have to win ugly. I relaxed and let James off the hook, and I should have kept the pressure on. Not every game will be a convincing win, but I'm just glad to get through. James is getting back to his best and I'm pleased for him. It will be a different game against Adrian and I know what to expect from him - a lot of 180s! It's a big day tomorrow and it will be a great semi-final."

Lewis, meanwhile, ended Kim Huybrechts' superb Grand Slam debut by denying the Belgian a win to celebrate his 28th birthday, as the Stoke star picked up a 16-11 triumph.
Lewis raced into a 6-1 lead with some majestic early darts, which included a ten-dart leg and a 110 finish to match Huybrechts' checkout of the same total. The Belgian won four legs in the next five as he pulled back to 7-5, only for Lewis to pull away to 13-7 as he took his tally of 180s to nine for the match. Huybrechts again responded, finishing 65, 76 and 148 to reduce the gap to three legs, but a second 11-darter of the game from Lewis settled any nerves before he finally sealed the win on double 16.
Lewis ended the game with 12 maximums and averaged over 100 as he reached the semi-finals for a second time in Wolverhampton.

"I'm delighted to be through because it was a tough game," said Lewis. "I started like a train, but Kim came back well and took his chances. Even when he made it 13-10, I always felt I had another gear and I put him back under pressure, but I felt in control for the majority of the match. I'm playing really well at the minute, I'm enjoying my darts and playing with a lot of confidence, so I'm looking forward to the semis."
Lewis had moved in to a new house on Friday, and admitted: "It wasn't the best preparation for me but I'm looking forward to getting a good night's sleep now!"


Statistics
Ave180sDoublesPlayervPlayer Ave180sDoubles
95.73711/26Huybrechts 11:16Lewis100.161216/49
97.89416/44Taylor 16:12 Wade96.19512/39








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