Darts results: Michael van Gerwen sets up World Matchplay semi-final with Peter Wright after beating Nathan Aspinall

The two-time champion was well below his best at a packed Winter Gardens but an average of 94 was still enough to claim a commanding 16-9 victory over Nathan Aspinall, who also struggled to get going throughout a contest that promised much more.

Both players were particularly disappointing on the doubles, with MVG (37.21%) spurning 23 of his 43 attempts and Aspinall (25%) wasting 27 of his 36 although the Stockport man did raise the roof with a match high checkout of 130 to reduce an early to deficit to 5-4.

That was as good as it got for Aspinall as Van Gerwen won six of the next seven legs to open up an 11-5 lead that was always going to be too big to overturn.

The 2019 UK Open champion, who only managed four of the nine 180s in the match and averaged just 90, did mount a mini rally to reduce the deficit to 13-9 but MVG hit back with an impressive 12-darter - that he finished with a classy 88 checkout - to get himself back on track.

The world number three didn't lose another leg and finished victory in style with an 11-darter to book his place in his fifth World Matchplay semi-final, but his first since winning the second of his Blackpool titles in 2016.

Van Gerwen said: "It wasn't my best performance but at least I won. It wasn't good but the most important thing is that I won the game. We were both struggling and trying too hard here and there, and it was tough for both of us but I made the most of it at the end.

"Last year at this stage I could have lost this game but I won this time. My mindset is improved and I got through it.

"I know I have to improve tomorrow but at the end of the day it's all about winning the game and I'm so glad I did that.

"There's still more in the tank and I have to show that tomorrow. I missed a lot of doubles and my scoring power wasn't as good as I wanted.

"Tomorrow's another really important day, this is history now and tomorrow's the future."

On facing Wright, MVG added: "It's going to be a lovely battle because we're both phenomenal players who don't want to lose to each other.

"It's going to be fantastic and we know what we're both capable of so I have to do the right things to make it difficult for him. He's playing really good darts but he hasn't played me yet."

Earlier, Wright stormed into his fourth World Matchplay semi-final after thrashing Michael Smith 16-7.

Statistically the duo were much closer than the scoreline suggests, with Snakebite averaging 100.62 compared to Bully Boy's 99.23 while they both produced finishing percentages of 36%.

However, whereas Wright hit 16 of his 41 attempts at doubles, Smith only carved out 19 opportunities for him to pin his seven and was ultimately undone during the middle section of the match when the 2017 runner-up moved from 5-3 up to 13-4 ahead.

Wright hit four of his nine maximums during that period of the match and also managed the highest checkout of 91, while Smith mustered just five 180s and a high finish of 88.

Smith took out 81, 84 and tops to give himself a flicker of home but only for Wright restored breathing space on double eight before completing successive 14-darters to wrap up the win.

"I'm really happy to be through," said Wright. "It was enjoyable and we both respected each other up there.

"I didn't feel totally comfortable tonight. I thought I played not bad, but I felt I'd produce more because I prepared really well.

"I didn't hit as many 180s as I thought I would and my doubles weren't great either, but it's a win and I'm into the semi-finals.

"Michael has the ability to be a World Champion and world number one in the future, but he didn't play anywhere near his game tonight.

"Mentally and physically I'm in the best place ever and I'm looking forward to the semi-final. Everybody wants to win this one and it would be amazing if I could do that."

Friday results and remaining schedule

Friday July 23 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

• Peter Wright 16-7 Michael Smith
• Michael Van Gerwen 16-9 Nathan Aspinall

Saturday July 24 (1900 BST)
Semi-Finals (best of 33 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

• Dimitri Van den Bergh v Krzysztof Ratajski
• Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen

Sunday July 25 (2030 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DRAW, RESULTS AND DAILY SCHEDULE

Related Darts Content

• Outright World Matchplay tips
• Who hits the most match trebles
• James Cooper's quarter masters
• Paul Nicholson's Matchplay verdict
• 2021 PDC Darts Calendar
• 2021 Premier League schedule
• World Cup of Great Darts performances
• Fantasy Darts: Bristow v MVG
• Fantasy Darts: Cross v Deller
• Fantasy Darts: Taylor v Burnett
• Fantasy Darts: Hankey v Durrant
• Fantasy Darts: Rees v Price
• Sky Bet's darts odds