Jeffrey de Zwaan's giant-killing run at the World Matchplay continued as he produced another stunning display to thrash Dave Chisnall 16-8 in the quarter-finals.
By Chris Hammer
The 22-year-old Dutch star arrived in Blackpool ranked 68 in the world and a 750/1 outsider for glory while he was 1/50 to lose against the mighty Michael van Gerwen in the first round on Saturday night.
However, he stunned MVG for the second time in a TV major having also done so at this year's UK Open before upsetting the odds once again to defeat another two-time world champion in Adrian Lewis on Tuesday night.
The tournament debutant, playing in his first televised quarter-final, was priced up as a marginal underdog against Dave Chisnall, who had sensationally come from 7-1 down to beat Michael Smith 11-8 in the previous round, but held his own in an amazing opening 14 legs in which the pair couldn't be separated at 7-7.
De Zwaan then found another gear as Chizzy's levels and momentum dropped, winning nine of the next 10 legs to storm into the semi-finals on the second biggest stage of them all.
He finished the match with an average of 103.33, hit eight 180s and boasted a checkout percentage of 51.72%, which was helped by a superb high checkout of 127.
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"I am still in dreamland, this week keeps getting better and better for me," said De Zwaan, who at world number 68 was the lowest ranked player at the start of the tournament. Every game I feel more confident, I feel like I can beat anyone.
"I'm going to celebrate this win and then prepare for the rest of the tournament - I believe I can win this title."
He will be underdog once again in the semi-finals when he comes up against nine-dart hero Gary Anderson, who nailed a perfect leg in an astonishing 19-17 victory over Joe Cullen.
Despite his heroics in the fourth leg of the match, the Flying Scotsman was taken the distance by the plucky Rockstar, who raised the Winter Gardens roof himself with his second 170 checkout of the tournament to go 10-9 up.
Cullen spurned two match darts in one of the most gripping contests ever seen on TV but in the end it was Anderson who maintained his dream of winning the first World Matchplay title of his career.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM GARY ANDERSON'S EPIC QUARER-FINAL VICTORY
Thursday's results & Friday schedule
Thursday July 26
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Jeffrey De Zwaan 16-8 Dave Chisnall
- Joe Cullen 17-19 Gary Anderson
Friday July 27 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
- Mensur Suljovic v Darren Webster
CLICK HERE FOR WORLD MATCHPLAY DRAW, SCHEDULE & RESULTS
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