The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsMichael van Gerwen, Robert Thornton, Mensur Suljovic and Mark Webster are all through to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in Dublin after an entertaining Thursday night at the Citywest.
Robert Thornton opened up the evening’s action with a last-leg win over Ian White. ‘The Diamond’ never hit his double to start in the opening leg as Thornton took the first set 3-1 averaging a sensational 101 taking into account the double start format.
White found himself 2-1 down in the second set and forced a decider before taking out a sensational 158 finish to level up the match. Despite the set-back, ‘The Thorn took the third set without reply to regain the lead and control of the match. However, following suit from earlier in the match, White replied to level up the match once again to force a deciding set. White hit D16 to force a last-leg decider in the fifth set, but it was Thornton who moved into the semi-finals with a 3-2 win.
Vincent van der Voort was in control of his quarter-final tie with Mensur Suljovic, but somehow ended up losing the match to the Austrian. The Dutchman took the opening set with ease, but missed a huge ELEVEN darts as double midway through set two which allowed Suljovic to nail 89 on the bull and proceed to take the second set.
The fastest player in the world never recovered as the tungsten turnaround was completed. Suljovic hit the bull to achieve a 170 checkout in the match-winning leg that saw him win nine legs on the bounce as Vincent van der Voort left the stage about as dejected as you will ever see a man.
Mark Webster survived a Jelle Klaasen fightback to book his place in the final four, winning the match in a deciding leg. Webster took the first set without reply and then doubled his lead after taking the second set 3-1 to take complete control.
Klaasen came back after the second break of the match to take set three without reply to slash Webster’s lead in half to trail 2-1. Webster missed a couple of big darts in the fourth set at ‘The Cobra’ levelled up the match and force it into a deciding set. However, Webster held his nerve to hit D20 with his last dart in hand to win the match in a last-leg decider.
Michael van Gerwen completed the semi-final line-up with a convincing win over Jamie Lewis. The World number one missed way too many darts at a double in the very first leg of the match, but Lewis couldn’t capitalise as ‘Mighty Mike’ took the first set with ease.
The second set was just out as easy for Michael van Gerwen with Jamie Lewis playing nowhere near to the best of his ability as the second and penultimate set went to ‘The Green Machine’. The third set went to a last-decider and it was van Gerwen who came through it, taking out 160 to win in style.
