Gerwyn Price reached the final of the World Matchplay on Saturday at the expense of Danny Noppert. Thanks in part to a sensational nine-darter, the Welshman was too strong for the Dutchman with 17-11.
It was the first nine-darter at the World Matchplay in four years. Gary Anderson last managed to do that in 2018. Price threw 180 twice in the thirteenth leg and finished with 141, giving him an 8-5 lead.
Price, who recorded an average of 102.37, did not give up that lead in the remainder of the game. The number two of the PDC Order of Merit only struggled in the opening phase – he was broken by Noppert in the third game – but recovered quickly and recorded a convincing victory.
Price may face Michael van Gerwen in the final. ‘Mighty Mike’ will have to deal with Dimitri Van den Bergh, the Belgian number nine in the world, later on Saturday evening.
Noppert, who defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode and Daryl Gurney on the way to the final, can look back on his best end result at the World Matchplay despite his elimination. Until this year, a place in the second round was his best result in Blackpool.