SULJOVIC STUNS VAN DER VOORT IN QUARTER-FINAL THRILLER
MENSUR SULJOVIC produced an incredible comeback to stun Vincent van der Voort and reach his first major semi-final at the partypoker.com World Grand Prix, as Robert Thornton and Mark Webster won in a sudden-death leg and Michael van Gerwen continued his quest to retain the title.
Austrian star Suljovic has emerged as a contender at the top level by reaching the UK Open and World Matchplay quarter-finals in his rise into the world's top 32 this year.
He will now compete for the first time in a televised semi-final on Friday after coming from a set down and two legs behind to win a remarkable nine straight legs against van der Voort.
The Dutchman hit three 180s and a 128 bull finish as he won the quarter-final's first set 3-1, before taking out 156 and double four to move two legs up in set two.
However, a string of missed doubles to claim the set in the third leg proved the turning point as Suljovic took out 89 on the bull to hit back.
The Austrian then finished 60 and 88 to take the set 3-2, before winning the third without reply to move 2-1 up in the contest.
A seventh straight leg moved Suljovic ahead in set four, before he took out double eight to move 2-0 up and then sealed his comeback in stunning fashion with a 170 checkout.
"This feeling is very, very nice - it's the best moment of my career," said Suljovic. "To be in the semi-finals in Dublin is amazing for me and I'm so happy.
"Vincent gave me the chance in that second set and I came back and won the set, and when he missed doubles in the third set I was telling myself I had the chance.
"That finish at the end was very nice and I was so happy when I hit the bull - maybe I can go on and win now!"
Suljovic will now play Robert Thornton in the last four, after the former UK Open champion held off Ian White's brave challenge to claim victory in a deciding leg of their five-set thriller.
Thornton kicked off with game with a 160 score and took the first set 3-1 before missing two darts to double his advantage in the second, as White finished a stunning 158 checkout in the decider to level.
The Scot then won the third without reply with a superb set, only to see White edge the fourth in another deciding leg - despite four 180s in five legs from his opponent - to send the match all the way.
Thornton, with the advantage of throw, led 1-0 and 2-1 before White hit a maximum as he levelled to make the match a one-leg shoot-out which the Scot took on tops.
"It was a great scrap and I probably knew it would be that way, and I loved it," said Thornton. "In that final set I just had to hold on to my throw because I had the advantage, and in the end it paid off.
"Ian's one of the most consistent players you'll come up against and I'm quite happy to get this win.
"I'm enjoying this event and I like the double-start format, and hopefully I can keep this going now but I've got to take it one match at a time and concentrate on the semi-finals."
White had knocked out World Champion Gary Anderson on Wednesday night as he reached his second successive major quarter-final, after also progressing to the last eight in the World Matchplay in July.
"I'm disappointed that I didn't get through because I want to get past the quarter-finals," he said. "I struggled all the way through and wasn't starting like I did against Gary, and that was my downfall."
Mark Webster also enjoyed success in a dramatic sudden-death leg as he held off Jelle Klaasen's fightback to reach his first major ranking semi-final for nearly four years.
The Welsh left-hander has overcome Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis already in the double-start event this week, and continued his resurgence with another fine display.
He dropped only one leg as he took the first two sets, hitting finishes of 108 and 105 in the process, with an 11-darter from Klaasen the only resistance as the Welshman took command.
Klaasen then hit back to take the third 3-0, and came from a leg down to win the fourth 3-1 as his accuracy on double 18 - which has helped him to overcome Brendan Dolan and Dave Chisnall - returned.
Klaasen then led 1-0 in the final set, only for Webster to finish double ten and 86 on the bull to move ahead, and though the Dutchman produced another outstanding 11-darter to force a one-leg shoot-out, it was the left-hander who punished five missed opening doubles from his opponent with tops for victory.
"I played solid and I'm really pleased," said Webster. "At 2-0 up I started missing my double in, but I can't be too critical of myself because I dug in.
"This is the beauty of the PDC - opportunities are always there for someone and thankfully I'm taking mine at the minute. I feel really good and I've worked hard, so bring on the semi-finals."
Reigning World Grand Prix champion Michael van Gerwen set up a tasty semi-final against Webster with a straight sets win over another Welshman, emerging youngster Jamie Lewis.
After needing 11 darts at a finishing double before he won the opening leg, van Gerwen pulled clear with 180s in the next two to claim the first set without reply, and he also led 2-0 in the second before Lewis got off the mark.
The Dutchman, though, hit a 165 score to set up 24 in the fourth leg as he wrapped up the set to double his advantage.
Lewis battled back by sharing the first two legs of set three, with a 74 checkout moving van Gerwen 2-1 up before the Welsh ace took out 109 to keep his hopes alive.
Van Gerwen, though, was merciless as he wrapped up victory in stunning fashion with a spectacular 160 checkout to continue his bid for a third Citywest Hotel triumph.
"It's fantastic to be through to the semi-finals," said van Gerwen. "I played quite well - only the first leg was a bit of a disaster for me, but I still won the leg - and Jamie didn't perform really well and he can do a lot better.
"I'm proud about this win and with my confidence at the moment. Mark's a fantastic player and he showed his class tonight, but I will be the huge favourite against him and I need to perform really well."
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partypoker.com World Grand Prix
Thursday October 8
Quarter-Finals
Ian White 2-3 Robert Thornton
Mensur Suljovic 3-1 Vincent van der Voort
Mark Webster 3-2 Jelle Klaasen
Michael van Gerwen 3-0 Jamie Lewis
Friday October 9 (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Robert Thornton v Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen v Mark Webster
Format
Semi-Finals - Best of seven sets
* All Sets are the best of five legs. There will be no tie-break in any set.
* All legs must begin and end with a double, meaning that a player must hit a double before he can begin scoring in each leg.
MATCH INFORMATION
Ian White v Robert Thornton
First Set
0-1 - Thornton kicks off the match with a 160 score and lands a 180 before whitewashing White - who misses nine starting doubles - by finishing a 12-darter at tops.
1-1 - White gets off the mark with his opening dart before landing double nine to level.
1-2 - Tops sees Thornton regain the edge.
1-3 - White misses double 16 to finish 70, allowing Thornton in to hit the same bed to seal the set.
Second Set
1-0 - Thornton misses two darts at double 19 to finish 98, and White capitalises on tops.
1-1 - The Scot hits a 180 and tops to level the set.
1-2 - White's missed doubles allow Thornton to break on tops.
2-2 - Thornton misses double 12 and six for the set, and White fires in double two with his third dart as he levels.
3-2 - Thornton fires in a 180 but is left waiting on 102 as White finishes a sensational 158 checkout on double 19 to snatch the set.
Third Set
0-1 - Thornton finishes double four to move in front.
0-2 - An 88 checkout on double 14 sees Thornton break throw for a two-leg lead.
0-3 - Thornton seals the set by finishing 50 on double ten.
Fourth Set
1-0 - White initially misses three starting doubles but then throws a 160 score before defying Thornton's 180 with a fine 115 checkout.
1-1 - Thornton lands another maximum before taking out 101 on double 12.
2-1 - Double four gives White the third leg.
2-2 - Thornton hits his third 180 of the set before finishing 61 on double ten for a 12-darter.
3-2 - Thornton lands another maximum before setting up tops, but White finishes 54 on tops to claim another set in a deciding leg.
Fifth Set
0-1 - Thornton opens the deciding set by finishing 41 on tops.
1-1 - White posts a maximum - his second of the game - before punishing two misses from Thornton by hitting tops to level.
1-2 - Thornton takes out 90 on tops to move a leg away from the win.
2-2 - White lands a 180 before finishing double 16 to send the match into a sudden-death leg.
2-3 - Both players land their first opening double, with Thornton first to a finish before opting not to throw for the bull on a 161 checkout, instead leaving 40 before hitting tops to claim a dramatic win.
Match Stats
| Ian White | 2-3 | Robert Thornton |
| 24 | 100+ | 31 |
| 10 | 140+ | 15 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 3 | 180 | 7 |
| 79.83 | Average | 90.06 |
| 158 | High Finish | 101 |
| 1 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 21/58 - 36% | Starting % | 22/66 - 33% |
| 9/26 - 35% | Finishing % | 13/24 - 54% |
Mensur Suljovic v Vincent van der Voort
First Set
0-1 - van der Voort lands two 180s in the opening leg before finishing double four to get off the mark.
1-1 - Double ten sees Suljovic level.
1-2 - van der Voort fires in another maximum before double ten edges him back in front.
1-3 - The Dutchman claims the set in thrilling fashion by taking out 128 on the bull.
Second Set
0-1 - A brilliant 156 checkout sees van der Voort lead in set two.
0-2 - Four missed doubles from Suljovic allow van der Voort back in to land double two to continue his surge.
1-2 - van der Voort sees a host of chances to claim the set go begging at double 14, seven, two and one, allowing Suljovic to claw back into the leg before finishing 89 on the bull.
2-2 - Suljovic finishes 60 on tops to level the set.
3-2 - Suljovic completes a stunning fightback in the set by landing his first 180 of the game before finishing 88 on double 14 to square the contest.
Third Set
1-0 - Double six gives Suljovic the third set's opener.
2-0 - A fifth straight leg goes to the Austrian as he doubles his lead.
3-0 - van der Voort kicks off with a 160 score and adds a 180 only to miss four more darts at doubles, with Suljovic finishing double nine to claim the set without reply.
Fourth Set
1-0 - Suljovic wins a seventh successive leg as he moves ahead in set four by taking out 32.
2-0 - Double eight with his third dart sees Suljovic move to the brink of victory.
3-0 - van der Voort opens with a 160 but Suljovic seals his comeback - and nine straight legs - in stunning style with a 170 checkout to reach his first major TV semi-final.
Match Stats
| Mensur Suljovic | 3-1 | Vincent van der Voort |
| 12 | 100+ | 15 |
| 8 | 140+ | 9 |
| 2 | 170+ | 0 |
| 1 | 180 | 5 |
| 85.09 | Average | 81.60 |
| 170 | High Finish | 156 |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 15/31 - 48% | Starting % | 15/45 - 33% |
| 10/24 - 42% | Finishing % | 5/30 - 17% |
Mark Webster v Jelle Klaasen
First Set
1-0 - Webster takes out 108 on double 14 to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - Klaasen lands a 180, but Webster returns from missing the bull for a 164 finish to take out 25.
3-0 - Another maximum from Klaasen comes too late as double ten gives Webster the set.
Second Set
1-0 - Webster kicks off with a 160 score before taking out 105 on tops to continue his confident opening.
2-0 - The Welshman wins a fifth straight leg to move two up in the second set.
2-1 - Klaasen lands two 180s before finishing 66 for an 11-darter to claim his first leg.
3-1 - The Dutchman lands a third maximum, but misses five darts at double 18 and nine, allowing Webster to take out 72 for a two-set lead.
Third Set
0-1 - Double nine gives Klaasen the third set's opening leg.
0-2 - Webster fires in a 177 but pays for missed doubles as Klaasen capitalises to break throw.
0-3 - Klaasen finishes a fine two-dart 96 to claim the set.
Fourth Set
1-0 - Tops sees Webster hit back to lead in set four.
1-1 - Webster opens with a 160 score but misses three darts at the bull and double 12 to move a leg away from victory, as Klaasen replies on double five to level.
1-2 - Klaasen lands his sixth 180 before finishing 84 on double seven for a break of throw to move ahead in the set.
1-3 - Double 18 sees Klaasen take the set to level the contest.
Fifth Set
0-1 - Klaasen opens with a 156 score before finishing 60 on double ten to move ahead in the game.
1-1 - Webster fires in his second 180 of the game to set up double ten as he levels.
2-1 - Klaasen hits his seventh maximum as he leaves 46, only for Webster to finish 86 on the bull to break throw and move to the brink of victory.
2-2 - Klaasen produces a sensational 11-darter to force a sudden-death leg, scoring 177 and 180 before finishing 44 on double 18.
3-2 - Klaasen, with the advantage of throw, initially misses five starting doubles, and Webster pulls clear to be first to a finish as he takes out tops for the win.
Match Stats
| Mark Webster | 3-2 | Jelle Klaasen |
| 30 | 100+ | 18 |
| 7 | 140+ | 9 |
| 1 | 170+ | 1 |
| 2 | 180 | 8 |
| 85.67 | Average | 88.67 |
| 108 | High Finish | 96 |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 19/51 - 37% | Starting % | 19/47 - 40% |
| 10/26 - 38% | Finishing % | 9/28 - 32% |
Michael van Gerwen v Jamie Lewis
First Set
1-0 - van Gerwen takes the opening leg - but misses ten darts at a double before hitting double one.
2-0 - van Gerwen lands a 180 before punishing two misses from Lewis by landing double 18.
3-0 - The Dutchman hits another maximum before double 16 gives him the set without reply.
Second Set
1-0 - van Gerwen hits another maximum before taking out double four to break.
2-0 - The world number one opens with a 160 score before finishing 42 to double his lead.
2-1 - van Gerwen lands a 180 to leave 41, but Lewis hits tops to claim his first leg.
3-1 - van Gerwen produces a 165 score to leave 24 before double six seals the set.
Third Set
1-0 - van Gerwen takes the third set's opening leg to continue his charge.
1-1 - The reigning champion misses double ten to finish 128, and double 16 gives Lewis the leg.
2-1 - Lewis lands his first maximum, but van Gerwen takes out 74 to move to the brink of victory.
2-2 - van Gerwen powers in his fifth 180, but misses tops for the win as Lewis finishes 109 on double 16 to take the set into a decider.
3-2 - The Dutchman seals victory in brilliant style with a 160 checkout.
Match Stats
| Michael van Gerwen | 3-0 | Jamie Lewis |
| 13 | 100+ | 8 |
| 12 | 140+ | 11 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 5 | 180 | 1 |
| 95.66 | Average | 79.36 |
| 160 | High Finish | 109 |
| 2 | Breaks of Throw | 0 |
| 12/24 - 50% | Starting % | 12/34 - 35% |
| 9/26 - 35% | Finishing % | 3/9 - 33% |