Michael van Gerwen, Andrew Gilding, Michael Smith and Rob Cross all won in Blackpool on Wednesday night. Darts returns on Thursday with Sky Sports action from 8pm and the first two quarter-finals of the World Matchplay on Sky Sports Main Event.
Thursday, July 18, 2024 0:20 United Kingdom
Michael van Gerwen was set for a fascinating quarter-final showdown with Andrew Gilding in the World Matchplay, while Michael Smith and Rob Cross also recorded wins in Blackpool on Wednesday.
Van Gerwen continued his quest for a fourth title at the Winter Gardens, fending off a late fightback from a dogged Joe Cullen to win 11-8.
The Dutchman will face Andrew Gilding, better known as “Goldfinger”, who broke new ground with his dominant win over Kristof Ratajski, in the quarter-finals in what will be a repeat of the memorable 2023 UK Open final.
Rob Cross put in a fine performance against Ryan Searle, while Michael Smith was forced to fend off a brave fight-back from Chris Dobey in a hard-fought contest.
Van Gerwen has an unlucky bounce against Cullen
Van Gerwen defeated Luke Littler in their first round heavyweight clash and started strongly against Cullen, scoring a brilliant 151 checkout to take a 4-1 lead.
Cullen, a 2023 semi-finalist, threatened to mount an unlikely comeback by winning three consecutive legs from 9-5 down, but a late onslaught was in vain as Van Gerwen claimed a hard-fought victory.
After beating Joe Cullen in Blackpool, Michael van Gerwen was thrilled and admitted he can’t wait for the next match.
“I can’t wait for the next match, I’m excited,” declared Van Gerwen, who faces Gilding in the quarter-final on Friday.
“Andrew is probably one of the most underrated players on the tour. When he’s in form he can be really dangerous.”
“Obviously I lost to him in the UK Open final before, but I have no intention of losing to him in the next match.
“This is one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Everyone wants to win and I’m confident. I’m feeling good.”
MVG took down 151 in style against Karen.
Gilding defeated Poland’s Ratajski to reach his first World Matchplay quarterfinals.
The former UK Open champion fired combinations of 110 and 127 to build a commanding 7-2 lead, but Ratajski looked set to turn the tide with a brilliant 128 checkout in the tenth leg.
The Polish Eagle narrowed the gap to 7-5 at one point, but Gilding won the next four legs without conceding a goal to thwart any chance of a fightback and win with an average of 98.
“I’m very happy,” admitted the Suffolk star, who is looking forward to his first televised showdown with van Gerwen since beating the Dutchman at last year’s UK Open.
“Now I’m starting to believe. I’m already better than I was before. It’s always my goal to go even further than I was before.”
“Experience is valuable and now I’m starting to feel more comfortable on these stages.”
Andrew Gilding won his match against Krzysztof Ratajski with an incredible bullseye finish of 127 points.
Cross sets up fascinating quarter-final showdown with Smith
Cross and Smith went head-to-head in the 2019 final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, beating Ryan Searle and Chris Dobey respectively in the second round, and the rivals will meet again at the Empress Ballroom on Friday.
Sarr looked disappointed with the cross and even snatched the dart off the board at one point during the match.
Cross put in a brilliant performance, averaging 106.99 to reach the quarter-finals and enjoy a commanding 11-6 win over Searle.
‘Voltage’ was at his best against the Somerset star, scoring successive 10-dart hits in the first six legs.
The 2019 champion then built a two-leg lead which he never relinquished, completing an impressive 11-dart hold.
Rob Cross says he’s enjoying life and admits he likes keeping a low profile.
Despite recording his best average ever on the Winter Garden stage, Cross insisted he still had “more to come.”
“I’m enjoying the game. It’s not complicated for me at the moment. I’m playing freely. If I carry on like this, who knows what will happen in the end?”
“I love this tournament. I’ve loved this tournament ever since I walked into this building eight years ago.”
“Memories of victory [the title] Winning in 2019 will stay with me forever, but now I want to win again.”
Meanwhile, Smith was forced to fend off a brave fightback from Doby despite leading 4-0 early on.
Chris Doby catches the “big fish” against Michael Smith
Newcastle thrower Doby scored impressive finishes of 170 and 140 midway through the match as he aims to repeat his heroic record of beating “The Bully Boy” on the same stage at last year’s World Match Play and World Championships.
The former Masters champion then hit an incredible 135 on the bull to tie the match at 9-9, but Smith withstood the pressure in a tense final match to keep his title hopes alive.
Michael Smith said he was relieved to have finished despite being far from his best.
What will happen at the World Matchplay on Thursday?
The 2024 Betfred World Matchplay continues at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, with the first two quarter-final matches broadcast on Thursday 18 July on Sky Sports Action from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 9pm. Get instant access to World Matchplay for just £26 now.
Former European champion Ross Smith will face 2007 winner James Wade and title favourite Luke Humphries will face 2020 winner Dimitri van den Bergh in a repeat of March’s UK Open final as the world’s top stars battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 prize money.
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