Glen Durrant and Peter Wright will meet in the semi-finals of the 2019 BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts after winning their quarter-final ties on Friday.
It will be the first time the two have met since the quarter-finals of the same event in 2017, where Wright progressed to the last four with a 16-10 win.
Wright too strong for Chisnall
The first match of the evening saw Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright trading holds of throw with neither looking able to take advantage until the seventh leg when Wright pinned tops for a 65 checkout to break and take the lead.
That advantage didn’t last long though as Chisnall broke back immediately with a 72 finish and levelled the match at 4-4 before going on to hold and then break again to take a 6-4 lead.
Wright returned from the second advertising break wielding a new set of flights, which didn’t immediately seem to change his fortunes as Chisnall extended his lead to 8-5.
The Scot then kicked in to gear stringing together a run of eight consecutive legs including a stunning 131 checkout, finishing tops-tops to move 5 clear.
Chisnall then produced a fightback of his own to get within one leg of the former UK Open Champion but despite the defiance and 10 maximums from Chisnall it was Wright who progressed in a 16-8 win.
“I’m feeling confident again, that was a good match and I’m glad to beat a great player like Dave,” said Wright, who finished the match with an average of 101.25.
“I was messing about with my flights last night and decided to give them a go today, it didn’t take log to realise they weren’t right so I changed back to the old ones.
“I’ve got a day off tomorrow so I’m going to ask my wife to lock my darts away so I can’t tamper with them,” joked the 49-year-old.
Durrant maintains strong run of form
The second quarter-final of the evening in Wolverhampton saw Glen Durrant reach the semi-finals of a televised PDC event for the third time in 2019 as he beat World Championship runner-up Michael Smith 16-12.
Smith began the match the brighter of the two, breaking throw in the second leg only to see his 2-0 lead disappear as Durrant broke back immediately.
It was Smith who was the happier player come leg ten as he took a 6-4 lead in to the advertising break.
The time off stage seemed to benefit the Lakeside Champion though as he reeled off six legs on the spin to give himself a four leg cushion. Durrant looked solid on throw throughout the match and a run of seven straight holds during a crucial period of the encounter is what set up the victory.
Durrant did miss one match dart in leg 17 but would eventually get over the line the very next leg to secure his place in the last four of the Grand Slam for the very first time.
“I’m just so happy to have made the semi-finals tonight but it would be nice just to go one and hopefully two better this time.
“I’m having to show in the PDC that I can come from behind. I’m used to being a front runner so I’m showing a different side to my game now,” said Durrant after his victory.
The 48-year-old hit 55% of his attempts at doubles with particular success on double 16 and said practice was the key to his success.
“I promise you, I throw a thousand darts a night at double 16 and double eight. Any youth player watching just practice what might happen in a match and it will make a huge difference.”
The win sets up a semi-final clash with former Premier League finalist Wright and it is a match Durrant is relishing.
“Since coming over to the PDC Peter has been the one to make me feel most welcome and it will be an absolute pleasure to play him in the semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.”
The semi-final line-up for the 2019 Boylesports Grand Slam of Darts will be completed on Saturday night as Michael van Gerwen does battle with Adrian Lewis before the crowd will be treated to a mouthwatering repeat of the 2018 final as defending Champion Gerwyn Price takes on Gary Anderson.
Friday results & Saturday schedule
Friday November 15 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Glen Durrant 16-12 Michael Smith
- Dave Chisnall 12-16 Peter Wright
Saturday November 16 (8pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Adrian Lewis v Michael van Gerwen
- Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson