Gary Anderson's dream of winning a first World Grand Prix title is over after he crashed out to defending champion Daryl Gurney in the quarter-finals.
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The Flying Scotsman was aiming to win his fourth televised major of 2018 having already scooped the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts - all for the first time in his illustrious career - but was well below his best with an average of 78 and missed seven of his 10 attempts at doubles.
That's to take nothing away from Gurney, who averaged 93, threw five 180s, made three 100+ checkouts - including a pair of 110s in the opening set - and pinned nine of his 12 attempts at doubles.
There were unsavoury scenes at the end of the match with Anderson clearly not happy and later Gurney claimed it was because the Flying Scotsman accused him of mumbling behind his back at the oche. Reports backstage also suggest Anderson felt Gurney was taking too long to retrieve his darts from the board.
Gurney said on Sky Sports: "Gary was trying to say I was mumbling behind him. I've never mumbled in any game I've ever played in. Honestly, I'm disappointed in him, I'm a big darts fan and I'm a big fan of Gary Anderson. I'm not best pleased really."
Later he told www.pdc.tv: "To beat Gary 3-0 in any competition is very flattering. To beat a player of his calibre you have to be on top of your game all the way through and I was tonight. I felt nervous but I was fully focused on the job and thankfully I got it done."
The Northern Irishman, who beat Simon Whitlock in the 2017 final to claim his maiden TV title, will now face Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals of the unique double-start major after the tournament favourite averaged over 100 in a high-class 3-1 win over Dave Chisnall.
His 101.54 was the 10th highest in World Grand Prix history while he hit 10 of his 20 attempts at finishing doubles as he reminded everyone just why he's man to beat following a rough ride in this year's major events.
Against anyone else, Chizzy's performance would have been enough to win as he fired seven 180s in an average of 98 although his finishing doubles let him down at key moments, missing 14 out of 20.
"We should have games like this all the time, it was incredible," said Van Gerwen. "Dave played a phenomenal game, I think it was the best game ever seen in Dublin.
"I need to keep my concentration for tomorrow, there's still a long way to go - I want to win this title, it's as simple as that."
Earlier, Mensur Suljovic reached the World Grand Prix semi-finals for the third time in his career but he had to come from behind against Gerwyn Price to do it.
The Austrian came into the match as hot favourite having whitewashed his way through his two previous matches for the loss of just three legs and it was all going smoothly against the Welshman when he won the opening set 3-0.
Price came storming back to take the next 3-2, with help of a fine 118 checkout in a 12-dart leg, while a finish of 116 saw him turn the match on its head as he moved 2-1 up.
Suljovic refused to panic and quickly stormed through the fourth set with two 13-dart legs and one in 14, only to find himself on the back foot again when Price nailed a 130 checkout in the decider.
The Welshman failed to kick on as he registered a 'no score' at the start of the very next leg and Suljovic made the most of it by levelling matters before taking the next two.
Suljovic, who averaged 91, threw six 180s and pinned 12 of his 22 attempts at finishing doubles, told www.pdc.tv: "It is a brilliant feeling being in the semi-finals, I think the double-in double-out format is my tournament. I kept telling myself 'never give up' and that is why I won this game.
"The crowd were brilliant, when I was feeling down and like I was going to lose they started singing my name and it helped me focus."
He will next meet Peter Wright, who came through a hard-fought encounter against James Wilson to reach the semi-finals here for the first time in his career.
On Wednesday night Snakebite claimed he was going to "gatecrash that party" and reach the final in reference to all the talk being about Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in Dublin, and it was all going to plan when moving 2-0 up in sets with the help of four 180s and a 111 checkout.
Wilson showed tremendous character to fight back and he won a deciding leg in the third set by pinning double 10 with his last dart, with Wright waiting to pounce for the match on tops.
Lethal Biscuit maintained the momentum and defied Wright's barrage of maximums by taking the next 3-1 but he ran out of steam in the decider as the 2017 UK Open champion won through with three unanswered legs.
Wright averaged 88 despite his 10 180s while he hit 12 of his 25 attempts at finishing doubles, including a pair of 100+ checkouts.
"It was looking like I was going to win 3-0 without being pushed but I'm glad I was pushed because it gets me ready for my semi-final," said Wright. "James is a top player, he struggled at the start but then he started doing what he can do - he's a fighter and I knew he would never give up.
"Last year I played him here and I let him get away with it but I'm a better player than last year and so is he so it should be an awesome game."
World Grand Prix quarter-final results & schedule
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Thursday October 4 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals (Best of five sets)
- Mensur Suljovic 3-2 Gerwyn Price
- Peter Wright 3-2 James Wilson
- Daryl Gurney 3-0 Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen 3-1 Dave Chisnall
Friday October 5 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Semi-Finals (Best of seven sets)
- Mensur Suljovic v Peter Wright
- Daryl Gurney v Michael van Gerwen
CLICK HERE FOR SEMI-FINAL STATS & PREDICTIONS
Saturday October 6 (8pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Final (Best of nine sets)
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
Preceded by Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay final (Approx 7.10pm)
Kevin Burness v Mick McGowan