Peter Wright and Glen Durrant will meet in the semi-finals of the Boylesports Grand Slam of Darts after the pair defeated Dave Chisnall and Michael Smith respectively in Friday's quarter-finals.
It will be the first time the two have met since the quarter-finals of the 2017 Grand Slam, when Wright claimed a 16-10 win.
The first match of the evening between Dave Chisnall and Wright began with trading holds of throw with neither looking able to take advantage until the seventh leg when Wright pinned tops for a 65 checkout to break and take the lead.
That advantage didn’t last long though as Chisnall broke back immediately with a 72 finish and levelled the match at 4-4 before going on to hold and then break again to take a 6-4 lead.
Wright returned from the second interval wielding a new set of flights, which didn’t immediately seem to change his fortunes as Chisnall extended his lead to 8-5.
The Scot then kicked in to gear, stringing together a run of eight consecutive legs including a stunning 131 checkout, finishing tops-tops to move 5 clear.
Chisnall then produced a fightback of his own to get within one leg of the former UK Open Champion but despite the defiance and 10 maximums from Chisnall it was Wright who progressed in a 16-12 win.
“I’m feeling confident again, that was a good match and I’m glad to beat a great player like Dave,” said Wright, who finished the match with an average of 101.25.
“I was messing about with my flights last night and decided to give them a go today, it didn’t take long to realise they weren’t right so I changed back to the old ones.
“I’ve got a day off tomorrow so I’m going to ask my wife to lock my darts away so I can’t tamper with them!"
The second quarter-final of the evening in Wolverhampton saw Durrant reach the semi-finals of a televised PDC event for the third time in 2019 as he beat World Championship runner-up Smith 16-12 to avenge his World Matchplay loss.
Smith began the match the brighter, breaking throw in the second leg only to see his 2-0 lead disappear as Durrant broke back immediately.
It was Smith who was the happier player come leg ten as he took a 6-4 lead in to the advertising break.
The time off stage seemed to benefit the Lakeside Champion though as he reeled off six legs on the spin to give himself a four leg cushion.
Durrant looked solid on throw throughout the match and a run of seven straight holds during a crucial period of the encounter set up the victory.
Durrant missed one match dart in leg 17 but would eventually get over the line in the next leg to secure his place in the last four of the Grand Slam for the first time.
“I’m just so happy to have made the semi-finals tonight but it would be nice just to go one and hopefully two better this time," said Durrant.
“I’m having to show in the PDC that I can come from behind. I’m used to being a front runner so I’m showing a different side to my game now,” said Durrant after his victory."
The 48-year-old hit 55% of his attempts at doubles with particular success on double 16 and he explained that practice was the key to his success.
“I promise you, I throw a thousand darts a night at double 16 and double eight. Any youth player watching just practice what might happen in a match and it will make a huge difference," Durrant added.
“Since coming over to the PDC Peter has been the one to make me feel most welcome and it will be an absolute pleasure to play him in the semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.”
The semi-final line-up will be completed on Saturday night as Michael van Gerwen faces Adrian Lewis after the mouth-watering repeat of the 2018 final as defending Champion Gerwyn Price takes on Gary Anderson.
Day Eight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.
Friday November 15
Quarter-Finals x2
Peter Wright 16-12 Dave Chisnall
Glen Durrant 16-12 Michael Smith
Saturday November 16 (2000 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2
Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Sunday November 17
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
Semi-Finals
Peter Wright v Glen Durrant
Van Gerwen/Lewis v Price/Anderson
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Final