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Michael Smith hugs Nathan Aspinall after their thrilling showdown
Michael Smith hugs Nathan Aspinall after their thrilling showdown

PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals: Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Gary Anderson, Michael Smith 6-3 Nathan Aspinall

By Chris Hammer
Darts
Mon December 31, 2018 · 6y ago

Leg-by-leg reports and highlights from the PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals as Michael van Gerwen thrashed Gary Anderson after Michael Smith beat Nathan Aspinall.

  • Scroll down for leg-by-leg recap, stats and video highlights
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World Championship Semi-Final Results

Michael Smith 6-3 Nathan Aspinall

Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Gary Anderson

Final (New Year's Day, Sky Sports, 8pm)

Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith (Best of 13 sets)

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FINAL GUIDE, FEATURING STATS, RECORDS & PREVIEWS

🔄 Please refresh for live updates

After tonight's drama, I've put together a guide ahead of the New Year's Day final featuring both players' tournament stats, routes to the final and head-to-head stats, while I've also thrown in a few predictions and best bets. Just click on the image below if you'd like to check it out!

Click on the image for our full World Darts Championship final guide

So tonight's starter was indeed tastier than the main course but if both winners repeat their performances on New Year's Day then we'll surely have a showstopper to round off a largely thrilling World Darts Championship.

Michael van Gerwen defeats Gary Anderson 6-1!

Michael van Gerwen annihilates Gary Anderson 6-1 to set up a World Darts Championship final with Michael Smith, who came through that thriller with Nathan Aspinall earlier.

To think Anderson started with a 127 checkout to win the opening leg but that's as good as it got for the Flying Scotsman as MVG won 19 of the next 26.

The world number one will start as odds-on favourite to get his hands on the Sid Waddell trophy for the third time but surely Bully Boy will run him closer on New Year's Day than Anderson did tonight.

Here are the match stats while you can scroll down for the full leg-by-leg reports and match highlights from both semi-finals.

Averages

  • MVG: 105
  • Anderson: 98

180s

  • MVG: 11
  • Anderson: 11

Doubles

  • MVG: 19/39
  • Anderson: 7/29

Highest Checkouts

  • MVG: 90
  • Anderson: 127

SET SEVEN: Van Gerwen 3-1 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 6-1 Anderson

Leg Four
Brutal. MVG completes an emphatic 6-1 victory over the second best player in the world, finishing the demolition job with a 90 checkout for an 11-darter.
MVG 3-1 Anderson

Leg Three
Anderson gifts MVG, who is averaging just 86 in this set, another leg by missing three darts at a double from 40. The Dutchman wins the leg in 17 darts and is one away from a place in the final.
MVG 2-1 Anderson

Leg Two
The Flying Scotsman looked like he'd hit turbo mode as he hit a 10th 180 in a leg he was controlling until he spurned eight darts at a double! MVG then punished him by taking out tops at the first attempt.
MVG 1-1 Anderson

Leg One, MVG to throw first
A tops tops finish in a leg which also included his ninth maximum of the match sees him break the MVG throw and the crowd are starting to get carried away.
MVG 0-1 Anderson

SET SIX: Van Gerwen 2-3 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 5-1 Anderson

Leg Five
Anderson prevents the whitewash and the comeback can begin! A 10th 180 from MVG left him 28 but the Flying Scotsman responded to the pressure by taking out 24 to get a set on the board.
MVG 2-3 Anderson

Leg Four
Van Gerwen threatens a nine-darter until his sixth dart finds the single bed but and it takes him another six to level.
MVG 2-2 Anderson

Leg Three
MVG levels up the 180s count en route to reducing the deficit in this set with a 12-darter, which he completes with an 87 checkout.
MVG 1-2 Anderson

Leg Two
Something to cheer for the pro-Anderson crowd as his eighth 180 of the match helps him on his way to 14-dart break of throw.
MVG 0-2 Anderson

Leg One, Anderson to throw first
Anderson hits his seventh maximum of the match as coasts through this opening leg of the session and could even afford to miss three darts at double 16.
MVG 0-1 Anderson

FOURTH INTERVAL: MVG 5-0 Anderson

Odds: No more bets on MVG but Anderson is 80/1! Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • MVG: 107
  • Anderson: 100

180s

  • MVG: 7
  • Anderson: 6

Doubles

  • MVG: 15/26
  • Anderson: 3/8

Highest Checkouts

  • MVG: 87
  • Anderson: 127

SET FIVE: Van Gerwen 3-0 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 5-0 Anderson

Leg Three
MVG is now just a set away from the final and at this rate it might just take three more legs. In truth this was one of the worst legs of the match and it speaks volumes that Anderson was still back on 76 when MVG completed his leg on double one!
MVG 3-0 Anderson

Leg Two
More consistently heavy scoring - even without a maximum - sees MVG take the next in 13 darts although this time Anderson was able to apply a bit of pressure as he waited on 28.
MVG 2-0 Anderson

Leg One
MVG comes out after the break with a seventh 180 and ends a 15-dart leg with a 52 checkout, with Anderson back on 160.
MVG 1-0 Anderson

THIRD INTERVAL: MVG 4-0 Anderson

Odds: MVG is now 1/200 to book a final spot with Michael Smith while you can back Anderson at 25/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • MVG: 109
  • Anderson: 102

180s

  • MVG: 6
  • Anderson: 6

Doubles

  • MVG: 12/18
  • Anderson: 3/8

Highest Checkouts

  • MVG: 87
  • Anderson: 127

SET FOUR: Van Gerwen 3-1 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 4-0 Anderson

Leg Four
That last leg proves to be just a false dawn as Anderson's standards slip again to the point he's still on 195 when MVG completes a 15-darter to go 4-0 up in sets.
MVG 2-1 Anderson

Leg Three
Finally the Flying Scotsman stops the rot - but it could have been even more dramatic! Anderson kicked the leg off with back-to-back 180s and although his seventh dart hit treble one, he ended up winning the leg in 11 with a 100 checkout.
MVG 2-1 Anderson

Leg Two
Yet another leg goes the way of MVG - this time in 13 darts - and to say Anderson is on the ropes is an understatement.
MVG 2-0 Anderson

Leg One, Anderson to throw first
Anderson shows signs of life with his fourth 180 of the match but it's all in vain as he misses double 13 with his third dart in hand. MVG, who earlier hit his fourth maximum, responds to take 87 and break the throw in 12 darts.
MVG 1-0 Anderson

SET THREE: Van Gerwen 3-0 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 3-0 Anderson

Leg Three
We hardly ever see Anderson get a hiding like this and his fans may want to look away. MVG doesn't look like missing from any shot and this time he takes out 74 for a 14-darter.
MVG 3-0 Anderson

Leg Two
A fourth 180 for MVG and an 85 checkout finished on the bullseye completes a 12-dart leg. This is brutal stuff.
MVG 2-0 Anderson

Leg One, MVG to throw first
On this evidence we could be witnessing a demolition job. Anderson is way back on 191 when MVG takes out 70 for a clinical 14-darter as he makes it five legs on the trot.
MVG 1-0 Anderson

SECOND INTERVAL: MVG 2-0 Anderson

Odds: MVG is now 1/9 to book a final spot with Michael Smith while you can back Anderson at 11/2. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • MVG: 107
  • Anderson: 102

180s

  • MVG: 3
  • Anderson: 3

Doubles

  • MVG: 6/10
  • Anderson: 2/6

Highest Checkouts

  • MVG: 40
  • Anderson: 127

SET TWO: Van Gerwen 3-0 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 2-0 Anderson

Leg Three
Anderson is already up against it big time now as a missed attempt at tops is punished by MVG, who checks out from 80 after a superb visit of 140 to move two sets to the good.
MVG 3-0 Anderson

Leg Two
It's a break of throw for the Dutchman as he takes out 69 with a sloppy Anderson back on 140.
MVG 2-0 Anderson

Leg One, Anderson to throw first
MVG is averaging well over 110 and four more ton+ visits leaves him 28, which he takes out in two attempts - but only after Anderson spurned three darts from 36.
MVG 1-0 Anderson

FIRST INTERVAL: MVG 1-0 Anderson

Odds: MVG is now 1/3 to win this second semi-final while Anderson is now 5/2. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • MVG: 111
  • Anderson: 106

180s

  • MVG: 3
  • Anderson: 2

Doubles

  • MVG: 3/6
  • Anderson: 2/2

Highest Checkouts

  • MVG: 40
  • Anderson: 127

SET ONE: Van Gerwen 3-2 Anderson
MATCH SCORE: Van Gerwen 1-0 Anderson

Leg Five
It's first blood for MVG as his third 180 of the match and further visits of 97 and 100 leave him 40, which he pins at the third attempt for a 15-darter. That was pressure, with Anderson waiting on 44.
MVG 3-2 Anderson

Leg Four
The pair exchange 180s in another high-quality leg which Anderson takes with a 104 checkout to complete a 12-darter.
MVG 2-2 Anderson

Leg Three
Anderson shambles around in this leg with three visits under 60 and MVG easily makes him pay as he pins double 14 with his opponent back on 216.
MVG 2-1 Anderson

Leg Two
Van Gerwen breaks straight back in 13 darts thanks to four 100+ visits and a 36 checkout. Awesome start from both players.
MVG 1-1 Anderson

Leg One, MVG to throw first
Anderson brings the crowd to his feet instantly with a 180 and 127 checkout - which immediately followed MVG's first maximum - to complete a 12-dart break of throw.
MVG 0-1 Anderson

2105 No harm in sharing (again) another couple of reminders why we can expect fireworks next...

2100: If that wasn't exciting enough, now it's time for Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson!

If you scroll right down you'll find some pre-match stats and facts but it might be quicker to click on the image below for a full preview.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR STATS, HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS AND ROUTES TO THE SFs

2055: Before we crack on with the next semi-final, which may not be as tasty as the 'starter', let's here from Bully Boy.

Michael Smith defeats Nathan Aspinall 6-3!

Michael Smith reached his first World Darts Championship final with a stunning display against debutant Nathan Aspinall, who threatened yet another fightback after losing the first seven legs of an Ally Pally classic.

Bully Boy rallied again when being pegged back to 2-2 and 3-3 and ended up throwing a semi-final record of 17 180s as well as four 100+ checkouts, including a match-winning 121.

He'll now meet Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson in the final on New Year's Day.

Here are the match stats while you can scroll down for the full leg-by-leg report and match highlights.

Averages

  • Smith: 105
  • Aspinall: 100

180s

  • Smith: 17
  • Aspinall: 13

Doubles

  • Smith: 22/44
  • Aspinall: 13/27

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 136 (4 100+)
  • Aspinall: 76

SET NINE: Smith 3-0 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 6-3 Aspinall

Leg Three
Michael Smith reaches his first World Championship final in style! He hits his 17th 180 - a record for a semi-final - before taking out 121 for a 12-darter that completes a thoroughly entertaining victory.
Smith 3-0 Aspinall

Leg Two
Agonising for Aspinall as he misses two darts at a double after hitting treble 20 from 64 and Smith makes him pay by taking out 61. He's one leg from victory.
Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Leg One, Smith to throw first
Smith defies Aspinall's 13th 180 of the match to take this opening leg in 15 darts thanks to a pressurised finish from 73 when his opponent was waiting on 32 after a missed dart at double 16 for a 128 checkout.
Smith 0-1 Aspinall

SIXTH INTERVAL: Smith 5-3 Aspinall

Odds: Smith is now 1/25 to finish this match off and reach the final while Aspinall is out to 10/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 106
  • Aspinall: 100

180s

  • Smith: 16
  • Aspinall: 12

Doubles

  • Smith: 20/40
  • Aspinall: 13/24

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 136
  • Aspinall: 76

SET EIGHT: Smith 3-1 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 5-3 Aspinall

Leg Four
Bully Boy strings together visits of 96, 134, 101 and 134 before taking out 36 for a 14-dart leg that puts him one set away from a place in the final.
Smith 3-1 Aspinall

Leg Three
Smith equals the record for the most 180s hit by a player in a World Championship semi-final with 16 (the record for a match is 31 - Cross v MVG last year - and there's been 28 in total so far) but more importantly he backs it up with a 130 checkout on the bullseye for a 12-dart break of throw.
Smith 2-1 Aspinall

Leg Two
Not for the first time this match, Smith and Aspinall trade 180s at the start of this leg but it's the St Helens man who goes on to take it with an 81 checkout that completes a 12-darter. Outrageous quality.
Smith 1-1 Aspinall

Leg One, Aspinall to throw first
An 11th 180 for Aspinall - which is the 25th of this incredible semi-final - helps him on his way to a 15-darter, which he completes with a 64 checkout after Smith missed a dart at double 12 for a 144.
Smith 0-1 Aspinall

FIFTH INTERVAL: Smith 4-3 Aspinall

Odds: Smith has shortened again to 1/5 while Aspinall is back out to 7/2. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 104
  • Aspinall: 101

180s

  • Smith: 14
  • Aspinall: 10

Doubles

  • Smith: 17/35
  • Aspinall: 12/23

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 136
  • Aspinall: 76

SET SEVEN: Smith 3-1 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 4-3 Aspinall

Leg Four
The pace of the game may have dropped off in the past couple of legs but Smith brings it back to life with another finish on the bullseye - this time from 90 - to complete a 15-darter.
Smith 3-1 Aspinall

Leg Three
Eventually we have a poor leg of darts as Smith blows four set darts before Aspinall makes him pay on double 10 for a 20-darter. He'll have the darts in the next leg to force yet another decider.
Smith 2-1 Aspinall

Leg Two
A 14th maximum in the match for Smith sees him break the Aspinall throw in 13 darts as he takes control of the set.
Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Leg One, Smith to throw first
Smith hits a couple more 180s either side of a visit of 100 to leave him 41 and he takes it out in two for a 11-darter.
Smith 1-0 Aspinall

SET SIX: Smith 2-3 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 3-3 Aspinall

Leg Five
Unsurprisingly the greatest fighter in this competition shows mental strength to take out 25 with Anderson waiting on 72 to square the match at three sets apiece.
Smith 2-3 Aspinall

Leg Four
This is some 'appetiser' to MVG v Anderson. Smith restores parity with a 14-darter which sets up another deciding leg in this enthralling encounter.
Smith 2-2 Aspinall

Leg Three
Back comes Aspinall with three 100+ visits and one of 97 as he edges ahead again with a 14-darter. Both players averaging over 103 now!
Smith 1-2 Aspinall

Leg Two
The Stockport man now hits a 10th 180 to leave him 47 but he's unable to take his chance as Smith takes out 97 for a 15-darter.
Smith 1-1 Aspinall

Leg One, Aspinall to throw first
Aspinall averaged 115 in the previous set and still lost it but despite that disappointment he maintains those levels to hit a ninth 180 en route to taking this leg in 12 darts, with Smith back on 201.
Smith 0-1 Aspinall

FOURTH INTERVAL: Smith 3-2 Aspinall

Odds: Smith has shortened again to 1/5 while Aspinall is back out to 7/2. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 105
  • Aspinall: 103

180s

  • Smith: 11
  • Aspinall: 8

Doubles

  • Smith: 12/21
  • Aspinall: 8/13

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 136
  • Aspinall: 76

SET FIVE: Smith 3-2 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 3-2 Aspinall

Leg Five
Another incredible leg of darts as Smith strings together visits of 100, 140 and two of 134 before closing out a 12-darter with a 93 checkout. He was under real pressure too, with Aspinall's eighth 180 leaving him 47.
Smith 3-2 Aspinall

Leg Four
An 11th 180 of the match for Smith can't salvage a poor start to this leg as four consecutive visits of 100+ for Aspinall sees him win it in 13 darts.
Smith 2-2 Aspinall

Leg Three
Aspinall has gone off the boil a little bit and Bully Boy takes advantage with three solid visits of 100+ before going out on double 15 to complete a 15-darter.
Smith 2-1 Aspinall

Leg Two
A rattled Smith composes himself to break straight back with the help of his 10th 180 of the match.
Smith 1-1 Aspinall

Leg One, Smith to throw first
The momentum is all with the player who was 750/1 for the title three weeks ago. After an opening visit of 81, he threw successive 180s before a checkout from 61 completed an 11-dart break of throw.
Smith 0-1 Aspinall

THIRD INTERVAL: Smith 2-2 Aspinall

Odds: Smith is now out to 4/9 from 1/14 while Aspinall is 7/4 from 7/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 105
  • Aspinall: 99

180s

  • Smith: 9
  • Aspinall: 5

Doubles

  • Smith: 9/14
  • Aspinall: 6/11

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 136
  • Aspinall: 76

SET FOUR: Smith 1-3 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 2-2 Aspinall

Leg Four
Once again a Smith maximum is followed by another from Aspinall in this stunning clash and he backs it up with a visit of 105 and a 76 checkout to complete a 12-darter. We're all square! It's the third time he's come from 2-0 down in this tournament!
Smith 1-3 Aspinall

Leg Three
The pair are thrilling the crowd now as they exchange 180s at the start of the third leg but it's Aspinall who goes on to edge it in 15 darts with a finish from 52.
Smith 1-2 Aspinall

Leg Two
Brilliant from Smith, who lands a 136 checkout to complete a 12-dart leg that included back-to-back 140s but surprisingly no maximums!
Smith 1-1 Aspinall

Leg One, Aspinall to throw first
It's raining 180s now but Smith's seventh of the match is defied by Aspinall, who holds throw in 13 darts to maintain his moment.
Smith 0-1 Aspinall

SET THREE: Smith 2-3 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 2-1 Aspinall

Leg Five
A huge roar from the Ally Pally crowd as Aspinall breaks the Smith throw to win the third set. The 27-year-old followed up a leg opening 180 with a 134 and another visit of 130 after a poor one of 41 set him up for a superb 13-darter.
Smith 2-3 Aspinall

Leg Four
The underdog is playing with a lot more confidence now and level the match with a 14-darter which was kick started by a pair of 140s.
Smith 2-2 Aspinall

Leg Three
Smith bounces back with another 180 en route to taking the third leg in 14 darts - is normal service resuming?
Smith 2-1 Aspinall

Leg Two
Finally Aspinall gets a leg on the board in 14 darts, thanks to his first 180 of the match and a 60 checkout. Huge relief for the Stockport man and it could trigger one of his trademark comebacks.
Smith 1-1 Aspinall

Leg One, Smith to throw first
Smith holds his throw with a 68 checkout after Aspinall missed a dart at double six to make it seven legs in a row.
Smith 1-0 Aspinall

SECOND INTERVAL: Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Odds: Smith is still 1/14 for victory with Aspinall available at 7/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 105
  • Aspinall: 91

180s

  • Smith: 4
  • Aspinall: 0

Doubles

  • Smith: 6/10
  • Aspinall: 0/1

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 108
  • Aspinall: NA

SET TWO: Smith 3-0 Aspinall
MATCH SCORE: Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Leg Three
This is incredible. The world number 10 hits his fourth 180 of the match and finishes the leg off with a 100 checkout to race into a 2-0 set lead!
Smith 3-0 Aspinall

Leg Two
Very hard to keep up with this as Smith goes 2-0 up although this time it was thanks to Aspinall missing his first double attempt.
Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Leg One, Aspinall to throw first
Bully Boy is relentless, with a 108 checkout winning him a fourth successive leg and Aspinall still hasn't had a dart at a double.
Smith 1-0 Aspinall

FIRST INTERVAL: Smith 1-0 Aspinall

Odds: Smith is now 1/14 for victory with Aspinall out to 7/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

  • Smith: 107
  • Aspinall: 97

180s

  • Smith: 3
  • Aspinall: 0

Doubles

  • Smith: 3/4
  • Aspinall: 0/0

Highest Checkouts

  • Smith: 108
  • Aspinall: NA

SET ONE: Smith 3-0 Aspinall

Leg Three
Wow. After just four minutes and 42 darts, Smith takes the opening set. If you haven't worked out the maths, that means he won the third in 15 darts, helped along by his third 180.
Smith 3-0 Aspinall

Leg Two
Another maximum from Smith helps the St Helens thrower break the Aspinall throw with a 13-darter.
Smith 2-0 Aspinall

Leg One, Smith to throw first
Michael Smith throws a 180 in his second visit and follows it up with a 140 as he races away to a 1-0 lead in 14 darts.
Smith 1-0 Aspinall

1915: Right, time to turn our focus back to Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall as they are now about to take to the stage.

1900: The irony of a Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson semi-final in a World Championship of shocks and underdog stories isn't lost on anyone.

And if whoever wins does indeed face Premier League and World Series of Darts Finals runner-up Michael Smith, who has won three titles during a brilliant season, then anyone tuning in for the first time on New Year's Day will have no idea of the drama that's gone before.

Many feel the second semi-final is effectively the 'final' and while that would be disrespectful to Smith and Aspinall, we can expect fireworks.

The duo have obviously been involved in many great battles down the years there were a couple this season which produced two incredible legs. Firstly in the Premier League...

And also in a Champions League of Darts group match...

1845: Let's remind ourselves of how all four players got this far and their tournament stats, starting with Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith.

TOURNAMENT STATS (Smith first)

  • 3-dart Average: 99.61 - 94.98
  • 180s: 34 - 26
  • 100+ checkouts: 6 - 7
  • Highest checkout: 132 - 148
  • Checkout %: 42.64% (55/129) - 37.79% (65/172)
  • Sets Won/Lost: 16/5 - 19/7
  • Legs Won/Lost: 55/32 - 65/46

ROUTES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

(Click here for full tournament results)

Michael Smith

Nathan Aspinall

Now lets look at Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen...

TOURNAMENT STATS (MVG first)

  • 3-dart Average: 103.38 - 98.89
  • 180s: 21 - 40
  • 100+ checkouts: 7 - 5
  • Highest checkout: 170 - 130
  • Checkout %: 45% (54/120) - 43.42% (66/152)
  • Sets Won/Lost: 16/4 - 16/9
  • Legs Won/Lost: 54/30 - 66/48

ROUTES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

Michael van Gerwen

Gary Anderson

1830: There's no doubting which of tonight's semi-finals is the 'headline' attraction but there's no reason to think the first can't produce just as much drama.

Nathan Aspinall has played one of the leading roles in making this World Championship so memorable with his stunning comebacks and performances that belied his pre-tournament odds of 750/1.

The 27-year-old from Stockport, who used to be a trainee accountant for a toy company, showed no sign of being fazed on the big stage despite precious little televised experienced in previous years and the way he refused to be intimidated by Grand Slam of Darts winner Gerwyn Price in 'that' thrilling second-round match was a joy to behold, even when he faced match dart at 2-0 down.

He also overcame a two-set deficit against Devon Petersen in between too classy displays to beat Kyle Anderson and Brendon Dolan 4-1 and 5-1 respectively so he'll need to produce more of the same tonight.

I tipped Michael Smith at 16/1 in my pre-tournament preview so I'm obviously not surprised to see him here - although I am relieved after my other picks were earlier victims of shock defeats (less said about them the better).

I still feel it's Bully Boy's time to take his career to the highest level by winning one of the big majors - and it obviously wouldn't come any bigger than this should he go all the way on New Year's Day.

He's proved he's got the star quality over the past couple of weeks but can he handle the pressure of expectation?

He needs to get a move on with winning a world title too because he has a four-year old son called Junior who's already hitting 180s.

1800: Welcome to our live coverage of what should be enthralling night of darts as Michael van Gerwen battles it out with Gary Anderson for a place in the New Year's Day World Championship final after underdog Nathan Aspinall looks to extend his dream debut one step further against Michael Smith.

Before the action gets under way at around 7pm, you can take a look through all the stats, facts I've compiled ahead of both semi-finals as well as all their routes to get here.

There's also some predictions thrown in, although trying to get anything right during this most unpredictable of tournaments - which has somehow ended up with three quite predictable semi-finalists - has been very tough!

Click on the image below (or here) for my semi-final preview while you can also refresh yourself with all the tournament results by clicking here.

Click on the image for all the stats and facts ahead of both World Championship semi-finals

When is the World Championship Final?

Tuesday January 1
Evening Session (1900)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

  • Final (Best of 13 sets)

Full World Darts Championship results and round-ups

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