Unibet European Championship QFs

LEWIS HOLDS OFF TAYLOR FIGHTBACK IN UNIBET EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERS

ADRIAN LEWIS held off a brilliant fightback from Phil Taylor to reach the Unibet European Championship semi-finals on Sunday afternoon, as Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gary Anderson also won through to the last four in Belgium.

Lewis, the 2013 European Champion, had looked set to book a semi-final spot with relative ease when he took a 9-6 lead against his Stoke rival at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt.

Taylor, though, hit scores of 177 in three successive legs as he hit back to take Lewis into a deciding leg, only for the 30-year-old to be first to a double as tops saw him claim a memorable win.

The defeat for Taylor came despite the four-time European Champion hitting four 180s, five 177s and a 171 score as he averaged 106.12 in a fine display, but he eventually paid the price for missing 19 darts at doubles.

"It was a very strange game and the averages show how well Phil played," said Lewis. "Phil showed his quality with the pressure he put on me at the end and he's still the man to beat in my opinion.

"When it got to nine-each I couldn't believe how it had got to that. You're fighting for your life up there and luckily enough I pulled through.

"I've won this event once and lost in the final twice to Phil, so maybe it's my turn again today."

Lewis had taken the game's first three legs before an 11-darter got Taylor off the mark as the Stoke legend hit two 180s to his rival's one.

Lewis edged 4-1 up before Taylor took the next two to pull back to 4-3, but he missed four darts at doubles to level in leg eight and a further three darts to level in leg ten as Lewis moved 5-3 and 6-4 up.

That lead was extended to 7-4 as Lewis fired in a 13-darter, and he shared the next four to move to the brink of victory at 9-6 - only for Taylor to fire in 177 scores in three successive legs as he landed legs of 13, 15 and 14 darts.

Lewis, though, had the advantage of throw in the decider and posted scores of 135 and 140 to be first to a finish, and though Taylor's 171 score left 40, his rival finished tops with his third dart to finally claim the win.

Lewis now takes on Gary Anderson in the semi-finals, after the Scot reached the last four in the event for the first time with a 10-6 comeback win over Jelle Klaasen.

Dutch ace Klaasen punished a slow start from Anderson to lead 2-0 and 3-1 before the Scot, aided by finishes of 100 and 120, took three successive legs to edge 4-3 up.

Klaasen levelled on double five, but Anderson won the next three to open up a 7-4 lead before finding his range on the treble 20 bed in the latter stages of the contest.

Klaasen finished double 18 in two legs out of three to stay in touch at 8-6, but Anderson fired in four 180s in as many legs as he eventually claimed a 10-6 victory.

"Once the scoring's there I'm quite happy with my game, and if you can squeeze a 180 into each leg it gives you a good chance and I did that in the last three or four legs," said Anderson.

"I'm still going and I'm enjoying it, and I'll get myself ready for the semi-finals. I'm not going to put any pressure on myself and I'll give it my best."

Reigning European Champion Michael van Gerwen defeated Dave Chisnall 10-4 to continue his challenge to retain the title with a superb 106.55 average, seven 180s and 50 percent on his doubles.

Although Chisnall opened with a 14-darter, van Gerwen took command by winning the next four and also led 6-3 before a key moment saw the Englishman left waiting on 40 as the world number one took out 132 with a stunning bull, bull, double 16 combination to move four legs clear.

Chisnall hit back on double eight as he traded 180s with van Gerwen, but the Dutchman won the next two on tops before opening with two maximums as he sealed victory in style with a ten-dart leg.

"I played really well, especially when I needed to," said van Gerwen. "I felt great and I did the right things at the right moments.

"The 132 finish was a killer I think. It was a fantastic moment and it made a huge difference. This is a big tournament and I don't want to lose this title. I can do better but I'm playing well."

Van Gerwen's semi-final opponent will be world number four Peter Wright, who saw off Scottish rival John Henderson 10-4 in their quarter-final clash to reach the last four in this event for a first time.

Henderson held an early 2-1 lead but was punished for missed doubles as Wright took the next four legs, including an 11-dart finish, to move 5-2 up.

Henderson claimed a third leg before another treble from Wright, including another 11-darter, put him in command at 8-3, and after the Aberdeen ace replied with a maximum in leg 12 he hit four 180s in the next two legs to complete victory.

"I'm playing well and this is only the third week I've been playing with this design of darts and what I'm doing in practice is frightening, but I've not done it on stage yet," said Wright.

"Michael's a fantastic player and there will be 180s galore - nine might not be enough against him. I'll prepare for the semi-final and take it as it goes tonight."

The £300,000 event concludes on Sunday evening, with the semi-finals to be followed by the final at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium.

Tickets for the Unibet European Championship are still available, and can be purchased through www.pdc-europe.tv .

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Unibet European Championship
Sunday November 1

Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
John Henderson 4-10 Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen 10-4 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 10-6 Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Lewis 10-9 Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs

Evening Session (8pm-12am local time, 7pm-11pm UK time)
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Best of 21 legs

Final
v
Best of 21 legs

MATCH INFORMATION
John Henderson v Peter Wright
0-1 - Wright lands an early before hitting double 19 to open with a 14-dart leg.
1-1 - Double top sees Henderson level.
2-1 - Wright lands a second 180, but missed doubles allow Henderson in on double ten to break throw and move ahead.
2-2 - Both players miss doubles across two visits before Wright levels on double ten.
2-3 - Wright holds throw to regain the lead.
2-4 - Wright fires in his third 180, and although he suffers further double trouble, Henderson misses three darts at tops to allow his rival back in on double four to break throw.
2-5 - Wright hits another maximum before finishing an 11-darter to open up a three-leg lead.
3-5 - Double five sees Henderson hit back.
3-6 - Wright lands double 18 to regain his cushion.
3-7 - Henderson hits his first 180 but pays for three misses at double ten as Wright capitalises to take a four-leg lead.
3-8 - Wright opens with a 180 and finishes double 16 for an 11-darter.
4-8 - Henderson opens with a maximum of his own before hitting tops to respond.
4-9 - Wright lands two 180s in the leg, and when Henderson misses double eight for a 136 finish, the number four seed lands double eight to move to the brink of victory.
4-10 - Wright soars over the winning line with a further two 180s - taking his tally for the match to nine - and double six.

Match Stats

John Henderson	4-10	Peter Wright
18	100+	17
7	140+	11
0	170+	0
2	180	9
88.77	Average	102.19
40	High Finish	56
1	Breaks of Throw	4
4/22 - 18%	Checkout %	10/25 - 40%

Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Chisnall claims a high-quality opening leg with a 14-darter as he lands double 16.
1-1 - The pair trade 180s before double 18 sees van Gerwen level.
2-1 - Chisnall misses the bull to finish 132 and van Gerwen capitalises on double four to break throw.
3-1 - van Gerwen opens with a 180 before hitting double eight for a two-leg lead.
4-1 - van Gerwen breaks throw again with a superb 76 finish to claim his fourth straight leg.
4-2 - Chisnall replies with a 76 checkout on double eight.
5-2 - Chisnall lands his second 180 of the game, but misses five darts at doubles to allow van Gerwen in on double 16 for another break of throw.
6-2 - van Gerwen lands a 180 and an 85 finish to continue his charge.
6-3 - Chisnall responds by hitting his third maximum and double eight.
7-3 - The pair trade 180s and, with Chisnall waiting on 20 for his chance to break, the world number one shows his class with a brilliant 132 checkout of two bullseyes and double 16.
7-4 - Both players land maximums again, with van Gerwen missing two darts at double 12 to allow Chisnall in on double eight.
8-4 - Chisnall hits a 180 but is again unable to break, as van Gerwen posts tops.
9-4 - Three missed doubles from Chisnall prove costly as van Gerwen again lands tops to move a leg away from the semi-finals.
10-4 - van Gerwen kicks off with two 180s to set up a possible nine-darter, and though he is unable to finish with a perfect leg he returns to take out double 16 for a ten-darter to seal the win in style, averaging 106.55.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen	10-4	Dave Chisnall
16	100+	13
10	140+	11
0	170+	0
7	180	6
106.55	Average	97.68
132	High Finish	82
4	Breaks of Throw	1
10/19 - 53%	Checkout %	4/17 - 24%

Gary Anderson v Jelle Klaasen
0-1 - Double top sees Klaasen break throw immediately.
0-2 - The Dutchman moves two legs up on double eight.
1-2 - Anderson opens with a 180 before finishing double 14 to get off the mark.
1-3 - Klaasen eventually claims the leg on double one, although Anderson is unable to get himself a dart to punish missed doubles from his opponent.
2-3 - Anderson takes out 100 with a clinical two darts to hit back.
3-3 - Anderson lands a 180 and finishes tops to level the contest.
4-3 - A third straight leg puts Anderson ahead as he takes out 120.
4-4 - Klaasen finishes a third-dart double five to square the game again.
5-4 - Double two sees Anderson move back ahead.
6-4 - Klaasen misses two darts at double top, and Anderson steps in to finish double 16 to break throw and move ahead.
7-4 - Klaasen lands a 164 score during the leg, but double 12 sees Anderson move three legs clear.
7-5 - Anderson's miss at the bull allows Klaasen in on double 18.
8-5 - Anderson fires in a 180 as he restores his cushion.
8-6 - Klaasen capitalises once again on a miss at the bull from Anderson to finish double 18.
9-6 - Both players land 180s before Anderson hits tops to move to the brink of victory.
10-6 - Anderson lands a 180 for a fourth successive leg and finishes double four to seal his semi-final spot.

Match Stats

Gary Anderson	10-6	Jelle Klaasen
24	100+	21
11	140+	12
0	170+	0
6	180	1
103.24	Average	94.59
120	High Finish	53
3	Breaks of Throw	1
10/17 - 59%	Checkout %	6/16 - 38%

Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
1-0 - Double top gives Lewis the opening leg.
2-0 - Both players miss a dart to take the second leg before Lewis finishes a third dart double five to break throw,
3-0 - Lewis hits a 180 to leave 36, and when Taylor misses double ten for a 140 checkout the world number five returns on double 18 for a 13-darter.
3-1 - Taylor claims his first leg of the game with a stunning 11-darter which features two 180s - to Lewis' one as the pair hit maximums in three successive throws - before the four-time champion lands double 16.
4-1 - Lewis misses the bull to finish 170, but Taylor's miss at tops allows him back in on double eight to regain his three-leg lead.
4-2 - Double 16 gives Taylor his second leg of the game.
4-3 - Taylor breaks throw, landing a 180 and finishing 85 in two darts on double 14.
5-3 - Taylor lands a 177 but misses his chance to level with four darts at doubles, allowing Lewis in on tops to break throw.
5-4 - Lewis fires in a 171, but Taylor takes out 88 on the bull to cut the gap once more.
6-4 - Both playes land 180s, but three further missed doubles from Taylor, across two visits, allow Lewis to finish a third-dart double ten.
7-4 - Lewis opens with a 180 and scores 120 and 130 before taking out tops for a 13-darter.
7-5 - Taylor finishes 87 on double 18 to respond again.
8-5 - Lewis hits a 180 and tops to edge away from his rival.
8-6 - Taylor lands a 177 before returning from a missed bull to hit double 16.
9-6 - Taylor misses the bull to finish 86 and Lewis steps in to hit double ten and move to the verge of a fine win.
9-7 - Taylor keeps his hopes alive with a 13-darter, opening with a 177 before finishing tops.
9-8 - Taylor hits his fourth 177 score of the game, before hitting a third-dart double eight to cut the gap to one leg.
9-9 - Another 177 from Taylor helps him move clear before double 12 sends the game into a deciding leg.
10-9 - Lewis scores 135 and 140 to be first to a finish, and though Taylor fires in a 171 score to leave tops, the youngster finishes tops with his third dart as he finally claims the win.

Match Stats