Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld completed the ‘dream’ semi-final line-up at the 2010 World Matchplay.
Taylor faces Simon Whitlock, while Barney takes on James Wade in what should be a humdinger of an all Unicorn showdown.
Barney was involved in a real all Dutch struggle against Stompe….far from his best, but still too good – reaching his first Blackpool semi-final with a 16-12 win.
Taylor was just Taylor, as he trounced Kevin Painter 16-4.
Bring it on was the message from Barney. “I’m ready for him,” he said. “I’ve had two months off and I am prepared. I wasn’t at my best up there but I will be ready for James Wade.”
Wade heard Barney’s interview and the challenge and he is now chomping at the bit…..it should be some semi-final.
Barneveld should have won more comfortably…..five times in the match, he broke the Stompe throw, only to be broken himself in the very next leg, and he was clearly frustrated by that.
The Unicorn star was 5-2 in front but his opponent produced a succession of terrific finishes to move ahead for the first time….110, 117, 96 and 118!
The pair traded blows until it was 10-10 and then Barney upped the ante when it mattered. He broke Stompe again and from 12-11, he won three straight legs which turned the match in his favour.
D16 won him the match with an average of 96, and I get the feeling the clash with Wade will be something special.
Taylor takes on Whitlock and that will also be a great match. It is, without doubt, the best semi-final line-up in the 17-year history of the tournament.
Painter was never going to halt Taylor…..he has now lost to ‘The Power’ 24 times in TV ‘Major’ events.
Taylor broke in the opening leg and after that, it was a procession.
From 2-1 in front, he won seven legs on the spin and it was game over.
Painter did restore some pride in the latter stages of the contest, matching Taylor on the 180 count. They hit four apiece but Taylor was ruthless and clinical and it was all over in an hour.
Taylor hit finishes of 106, 101 and 119 and finished with an average of 103, but you always got the feeling, there was a lot more in the tank should he have needed it.
Painter averaged 96.77 but he was never given a chance an d it is going to take an amazing performance from someone – Barney, Wade or Whitlock – to stop him claiming an 11th World Matchplay title.
“I enjoyed that,” he said. “It is a brilliant semi-final line-up. Simon fears me I think but I fear myself sometimes!” said Taylor.
He added: “I want this titled. I love it here and it would mean so much to win it again.”
On Friday afternoon, Wade was the first man through to the semi-finals….he averaged 98 in beating Wayne Jones 16-12, to remain on course for what would be a 4th Matchplay Final in five years.
Quarter-Final results:
Co Stompe 12-16 Raymond van Barneveld
Kevin Painter 4-16 Phil Taylor
James Wade 16-12 Wayne Jones
Jelle Klaasen 8-16 Simon Whitlock
Saturday Semi-Final schedule (best of 33 legs):
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
Simon Whitlock v Phil Taylor
By STUART PYKE at the StanJames.com World Matchplay Championship
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC