World Match Play: Michael Smith beats Rob Cross to face Michael van Gerwen within the semi-finals | Darts Information

Michael Smith defeated Rob Cross in a double bind to arrange a sensational World Match Play semi-final with Michael van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen and Smith will go head-to-head after beating Andrew Gilding and Rob Cross in Friday’s quarter-finals.

The Dutch famous person defied a lackluster begin to beat Gilding 16-10 within the night time’s first match, earlier than Smith swept previous an out-of-color Cross to advance to the Blackpool semi-finals for the third time.

The pair will rematch their epic 2023 World Championship remaining in an exhilarating Remaining 4 showdown on the Winter Gardens on Saturday, which entails among the best darts ever performed!

Smith did what he wanted to do, destroy Kroos, and Kroos could have a double-16 nightmare.

Since successful the world title 18 months in the past, “Bully Boy” has had a tough time and has by no means gained one other Grand Slam title.

However successful the Professional Tour and teaming up with Luke Humphries to win the World Cup of Darts seems to have revived the St Helens hurler, who’s a powerful contender to win a maiden Matchplay title.

He was the higher participant but in addition suffered some wayward ending, with Kroos being cautioned within the double-16.

The 2019 champion missed 12 makes an attempt in mattress and it proved pricey as Smith cruised to a dominant 16-7 victory.

“I simply stated to Rob, his early doubles have been non-existent and I simply stepped in and took the shot,” he stated.

“If he wasn’t going to take them, I’d have taken all of them day lengthy and now I am within the semi-finals.

“Each time I rotated I assumed he was going to overlook as a result of he is 32 and has three darts and Rob Cross would not miss.”

MVG pressured to beat boredom

Van Gerwen was concerned in a real tussle with Gilding within the opening match, the primary time the pair had confronted off on tv since Gilding beat the Dutchman to win the British Open final yr.

Nevertheless, the three-time champion got here out robust within the second half, successful 10 of his final 12 video games to advance to the Match Play semi-finals for the seventh time.

Van Gerwen was dissatisfied along with his efficiency within the doubles and located Gilding’s velocity troublesome to deal with.

“It was a really troublesome recreation, everybody knew it was troublesome towards him, he was very sluggish,” he stated.

“It’s kind of boring to play typically, however darts gamers are superb. You need to be on prime of your recreation. I’ve to confess it is troublesome. It is troublesome typically.

“I missed so many doubles and it was arduous, however ultimately I discovered one other gear and was in a position to win the match.

“I do know I can do higher. I am preventing for myself.”

Finest legs ever? | Can Smith & MVG repeat their nine-dart success?

What occurs on the Match Play Championship on Saturday?

The 2024 Betfred Matchplay continues at Blackpool Winter Gardens with the semi-finals happening on Saturday 20 July at 8pm on Sky Sports activities Motion, with the Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion beginning at 7.30pm. Purchase Match Play now for simply £26.

World primary Luke Humphries takes on 2007 champion James Wade within the night time’s opener earlier than Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith battle it out once more on Sunday Recreation seats.

The world’s prime stars will compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize cash on this iconic summer time event.

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