Former darts world champion Gerwyn Price has reached the final at World Matchplay for the first time.
The Welshman, who threw a nine-darter and will rise again to number one in the world from Monday, defeated UK Open winner Danny Noppert from the Netherlands with 17:11. In the final on Sunday, Price meets Noppert’s compatriot Michael van Gerwen or Belgian Dimitri van den Bergh.
Price, who only reached the quarterfinals twice (2015 and 2021) at the second most important tournament of the year before, could extend his lead in the rankings with a victory. The current world number one, Peter Wright, world champion and defending champion in Blackpool, lost his top position after being eliminated from the quarter-finals.
The Winter Gardens event will award a total of £800,000 with the winner receiving £200,000 and the Phil Taylor Trophy. For the first time, two German professionals were also at the start. Gabriel Clemens failed at the start due to the Portuguese Jose de Sousa, Martin Schindler narrowly lost to Price in the first round.