World Matchplay Darts: Peter Wright sets up Mensur Suljovic semi-final in Blackpool
Peter Wright thrashed Simon Whitlock 16-5 to set up a World Matchplay semi-final with Mensur Suljovic, who battled past Darren Webster.
Despite winning the first three legs of the night, Suljovic got better as the match went on and Webster was unable to keep with him as he sprinted to the line for a 16-10 success.
Suljovic was averaging around 90 during the early part of the match and his lacklustre effort was punished as Webster drew level at 3-3 with a 136 checkout, the pair eventually heading into the first interval at 5-5.
Webster left the stage punching the air, knowing he'd been let off the hook, and a repeat looked in store when he fought back to trail 9-8 with a 138 finish.
However, Suljovic was finding his stride by this point and a 122 finish of his own saw him go 13-10 up, before breaking throw in the next leg as Webster missed three darts for it.
A maximum to kick off the 25th leg saw Suljovic take it in 11 darts and move within one of victory and, after another interval, he wrapped things up with a 13-dart break of throw.
While not at his best, Suljovic had bumped his average north of 98 by the end of the match and threw nine 180s to Webster's six as his heavier scoring made the difference.
"It's a good feeling and I'm so happy," Suljovic told www.pdc.tv. "My game wasn't the best today but I never gave up. Darren is such a good player and it was a very hard match.
"I promised my son a new pair of trainers if I won so he was going crazy!"
Friday's second quarter-final was even less competitive, as Wright produced a ruthless front-running display to beat Whitlock 16-5.
The number two seed, stretched 5-0 in front in the blink of an eye and from that point on was never troubled as he remained on course for his second final appearance, having lost to Phil Taylor 12 months ago.
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Sky Bet's World Matchplay Odds
- Anderson - 10/11
- Wright - 5/2
- Suljovic - 11/2
- De Zwaan - 13/2
Whitlock had just one leg dart over the opening five - that a shot at bullseye which he missed by some distance - as his bid for a third semi-final appearance was ended.
The Australian did find time for some showboating as he went bull, bull, double 16 to save the match with a 132 finish in the 20th leg, having earlier hit bullseye for a 130 checkout.
But it was Wright who looked in command from the very first darts of the match, a 140 checkout midway through his highlight as he averaged 101.35 and cruised into the last four, sealing victory on a bullseye of his own.
Wright averaged 101.54 despite only hitting three 180s but was particularly deadly on doubles, hitting 16 and missing just five, as he fired a warning shot to Suljovic ahead of his third semi-final appearance in the last four years.
He won his final 11 legs without missing a checkout and managed three above 100 including a highest of 140.
"I wasn't really feeling it tonight until just before I went on stage and then I got my focus," said Wright, who will face Suljovic in Saturday's semi-final.
"I wanted a lot more tonight but I was struggling a bit in the heat which affected my darts. I've been practicing my finishing a lot so it was pleasing to be so accurate on my doubles.
"Simon is always capable of running off a number of legs so I had to keep my concentration to stay in front and keep him under as much pressure as I could.
"The main thing was I got the win but I will have to be better to win the tournament."
Quarter-final results & semi-final schedule
Thursday July 26
Quarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Jeffrey De Zwaan 16-8 Dave Chisnall
- CLICK HERE FOR DE ZWAAN REPORT
- Joe Cullen 17-19 Gary Anderson
- CLICK HERE FOR ANDERSON REPORT
Friday July 27
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV channel: Sky Sports
- Mensur Suljovic 16-10 Darren Webster
- Simon Whitlock 5-16 Peter Wright
Saturday July 28 (1900 BST)
Semi-finals (best of 33 legs)
TV channel: Sky Sports
- Mensur Suljovic v Peter Wright
- Jeffrey De Zwaan v Gary Anderson
Sunday July 29 (1900 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV channel: Sky Sports
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2