Michael Van Gerwen wins thrilling match to reach World Darts Championship semis

Michael Van Gerwen overcame Callan Rydz in a thrilling quarter-final to set up a last-four clash with Chris Dobey at the World Darts Championship.

The two men traded maximums in an enthralling contest before Van Gerwen capitalised on a Rydz miss to take it 5-3.

Newcastle’s world number 43 Rydz was in scintillating form – having not lost a set at this year’s tournament before the quarter-finals – and hit another 17 maximums to take his total for the competition to 43, but he found his match in Van Gerwen.

The Dutchman, seeking a fourth world title, averaged 103.10 with 14 maximums of his own to battle his way through to a ninth career semi-final appearance.

“He gave me everything,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “He didn’t stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up, I thought I broke him but he never gave up.

“The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy. It’s one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I’m over the moon.”

Dobey is into the last four for the first time in his career after rallying from two sets down to beat Gerwyn Price 5-3.

Price continued his trend of making a fast start but missed a number of doubles just as Dobey was finding his groove, averaging 113 in the third set as he began to make inroads.

It was not all plain sailing – Dobey missed five match darts before finally sealing the deal with a pair of double 18s.

“I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today,” Dobey said.

“I was thinking about last year and kept thinking, ‘keep going, you will get another chance’. Luckily I found a way over the line. I’m overwhelmed.”