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Michael van Gerwen beat Andrew Gilding 16-10 to book his place in the semi-finals of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
The world number two from the Netherlands started slowly against Gilding but then won eight consecutive legs to turn the match in her favour.
He overturned an 8-6 deficit to lead 14-8 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens as the Briton struggled to fight back.
“Everybody knows I’m going to play him. [Gilding]”It’s difficult, he’s very slow and sometimes it can be boring to play with him,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.
“But as a darts player, he’s amazing. You have to always perform at your best. I think I can do better.”
Gilding, playing in his first quarter-final at the Winter Gardens, set the pace early on with a 148 checkout in the third leg, the highest score of the match.
Van Gerwen knocked teenager Luke Littler out of the tournament in the first round but struggled to find his rhythm, losing 3-6 against the 53-year-old.
But the Dutchman nailed a 136 checkout to move to within a leg from 8-7 down and begin a winning streak that determined the match.
Gilding fought back late on but it was too late as the 35-year-old Van Gerwen sealed victory with an 80 checkout at double top.
Van Gerwen bowled 100 or more balls 34 times during the match, averaging 96.99, but was frustrated by his double success rate of just 30%.
He added: “I made too many mistakes in the doubles and it was tough. I’m not happy with it at all, but overall I won and that’s the most important thing. I think I stepped up another gear at the end.”
In the quarter-finals, Van Gerwen will face Michael Smith, who comfortably beat fellow Englishman Rob Cross 16-7.
Smith jumped out to an 8-2 lead and never looked back, while Cross frequently squandered a leg that looked like it was his own, missing 27 doubles tries.
“Rob just didn’t have a double early on. If he didn’t take it I’d take it. He had three darts at double but I just couldn’t get close,” Smith said.
“I have a tough match up next against Van Gerwen so I’ll have to work hard.”
Saturday’s semi-finals
Luke Humphries vs. James Wade (20:15)
Michael van Gerwen vs Michael Smith (21:45)