Gerwyn Price hit his fourth nine-dart finish of 2022 during his World Matchplay semi-final victory against Danny Noppert at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The Iceman had never managed a televised perfect leg before this year but nailed his first in a losing cause against Michael Smith on New Year's Day at the World Championship before adding a further two on one unforgettable Premier League night in Belfast back in February during his wins over Michael van Gerwen and James Wade.
His fourth came in the 13th leg of his Winter Gardens tussle with Noppert, as he followed up back-to-back 180s with a stunning 141 checkout to send the crowd into bedlam.
Unsurprisingly Gerwyn Price is the first player to throw four televised nine-darters in one year - and it's still only July.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 23, 2022
Phil Taylor (2007 & 2010), Barney (2009 & 2010), Adrian Lewis (2011) and MVG (2012) all managed to do it twice in a single year.pic.twitter.com/yebp4CEStp
No player had ever managed three in one calendar year, let alone four, and he even threatened another in the very next leg when throwing four treble 20s in a row only for his fifth to land in single five.
Price responded with another maximum en route to an 11-darter before opening up a commanding 10-5 lead that gave his opponent a mountain to climb.
🔝🎯 Gerwyn Price hadn't hit one nine-darter before 2022 and now he's got FOUR! That's two more than anyone else has ever managed in a single year! pic.twitter.com/RXFArQNxQi
— Sporting Life 🎯🔴🎾⛳️🥊🏏🏉 🏈 (@SportingLifeFC) July 23, 2022
The UK Open champion dug deep to win the next three legs on the trot, with the help of a 104 checkout, only for the new world number one to respond with five of his own to edge towards the brink of his maiden World Matchplay final.
Noppert produced two more 100+ checkouts of 117 and 120 in the next three legs to close the gap to 15-11 but after missing bullseye for 15-12, his last chance came and went as Price went on to seal a 17-11 victory.
The Welshman averaged 102.37 compared to Noppert's 97.79, hit 13 of the 19 maximums in the match and ended up with two of the five 100+| checkouts.
“I felt brilliant for most of that game,” admitted Price, who becomes the second Welshman along with Richie Burnett to reach a World Matchplay final.
“I’m so glad the nine-darter went in, but it probably put me under pressure, because I know a lot of people who hit nine-darters go on to lose the game. Thankfully that didn’t happen!
“I was hoping to go back-to-back, but it’s good for the crowd and it’s good for my confidence, especially at the Winter Gardens.
“The crowd on right on top of you, it’s brilliant. It’s a great atmosphere.”
He will now meet Michael van Gerwen for the Phil Taylor Trophy and a cheque for £200,000 after the Dutchman came from behind to overcome Dimitri Van den Bergh 17-14.
MVG looked in real trouble when the 2020 champion and 2021 runner-up took out 114 for a 12-9 lead and then survived two darts at a double in the next leg.
At 13-10 down, van Gerwen reeled off three legs in succession to draw level and although Van den Bergh got his nose in front once again, the two-time champion responded with another four unanswered legs.
The Dutchman, who last reached the final when he won his second World Matchplay title in 2016, averaged 98.9 compared to the Belgian's 95.32, hit half of the 18 maximums and pinned 34% of his doubles.
🎯🏆 Michael van Gerwen is into his first World Matchplay final since he won his second title here in 2016!pic.twitter.com/RXdcXzMYoV
— Sporting Life 🎯🔴🎾⛳️🥊🏏🏉 🏈 (@SportingLifeFC) July 23, 2022
“It was a really tough game for me, but I stayed calm and I think from here, anything is possible,” said Van Gerwen, who continues his bid for a third Phil Taylor Trophy.
“I feel good. I’m not happy with my performance, but I kept believing in my own abilities and I think this is why I won the game.
“I only had a short period of preparation for this tournament, so being in the final is a bonus for me, but I’m not done yet!
“Me and Gerwyn always have fantastic games, and I think this will be a final that everybody wants to watch.
“It’s a big game for both of us, and I cannot wait for tomorrow. It’s going to be amazing.”
World Matchplay: Saturday results and remaining schedule
Saturday July 23 (2000 BST)
2x Semi-Finals (Best of 33 legs)
- Gerwyn Price 17-11 Danny Noppert
- Dimitri Van den Bergh 14-17 Michael van Gerwen
Sunday July 24 (2030 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
CLICK HERE FOR FINAL PREVIEW AND BETTING TIPS
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD MATCHPLAY SCHEDULE
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