Adrian Lewis is on the verge of his darting dream – being crowned World Champion!
He will play Gary Anderson for the ultimate darting prize, after edging a thriller by 6 sets to 4 against Mark Webster.
The Unicorn star showed terrific maturity and skill to book his spot in Monday’s final at the Alexandra Palace, while Anderson was a 6-2 winner over Terry Jenkins.
Lewis’ win also guarantees him a place in the 2011 Premier League, but that will be the last thing on his mind, because he is now so close to World Championship glory.
In many ways, it is the dream final.
Lewis was thrilled with what he has achieved: “It was a great quality match, but I still have one to play – the biggest match of my life!”
He added: “It will be a tough final but I think it will be a great final and I will give it everything!”
On a famous night for the sport, when huge darts fan Prince Harry came to the Ally Pally, Lewis and Anderson excelled.
And on reflection, appropriately the two best players of the tournament will contest the final.
It was nip and tuck all the way, as Webster followed up his fabulous win over Phil Taylor with another great display but it wasn’t quite enough against Lewis, who looked hungry to win the World title.
The first five sets of the semi-final went with throw, with both players averaging just shy of 100 and giving it their all….it was real darting drama again!
Lewis found an extra gear, racing through the sixth set to clinch it against the throw and at 4-2 in front, we all thought that he would race to the finishing line.
But not a bit of it!
Webster stormed back, winning six out of the next eight legs to level the semi-final at four sets apiece.
Set nine was crucial…..it went to another deciding leg and under the most extreme pressure, Lewis took out 64 to edge in front.
And he wasn’t going to let his big chance pass him by…..an 8th 180 earned the first leg and he then took out 76 to break Webster’s throw and his heart, because the Welshman missed three darts at double.
Lewis won the match in style with a quite brilliant 12 darter – starting with a 9th maximum and finishing with an 82 check-out – taking it on ‘tops’
Jenkins gave a characteristically gritty, battling display, but just like Barney, he couldn’t match Anderson’s scoring power.
His run to the semi-finals has earned him £50,000 and he is now at No.6 in the world. The Unicorn ace will have to hope that he has done enough to earn himself a Premier League wildcard,
By reaching the final, Anderson will definitely make his Premier League debut in 2011….he is up to No.3 in the world rankings.
“Of course I am disappointed,” Jenkins said. “I gave it everything up there, but Gary’s scoring was excellent. But I have proved that I still have the game at the big tournaments and I have a feeling that 2011 will be a good year for me.”
He made the perfect start, winning the first set against the throw and in some style!
Jenkins took it against the throw and he was 3/3 on the doubles, including two dart finishes of 96 and 72…..and when ‘The Bull’ banged in a 102 check-out in the opening leg of the second set, he had Anderson on the ropes!
But the Scot was a set down against Barney in the quarter-finals and came back to win five consecutive sets on a golden run….and that’s exactly what he did to Jenkins.
In fact, Jenkins won only seven legs in those five sets as Anderson went on a scoring spree, hitting ten 180s and breaking down ‘The Bull’ as each set went by.
The big moment in the match came in the fourth set…..it was 2-1 to Anderson, but it was Jenkins set with the throw….he then had to watch the Scot nail 126 on the bull to force a deciding leg.
Anderson then hit back-to-back 180s, pinched the set, he was averaging 106 and it was the beginning of the end for the Unicorn man.
Another 126 bull finish followed and Anderson’s 180 tally went up to 12 and it was 5 sets to 1….but Jenkins was never going to throw in the towel and he battled back to take the 7th set with a 120 check-out.
However, it was only a temporary blip as Anderson rattled off three straight legs, including a 93 finish, a 12th maximum and he took his place in the final by nailing ‘tops’
Jenkins averaged 97 to Anderson 101.61 – the Scot has averaged over 100 in every match on his way to the final.
Semi-Final results:
Terry Jenkins 2-6 Gary Anderson
Mark Webster 4-6 Adrian Lewis
World Championship Final:
Adrian Lewis v Gary Anderson
• Don’t forget that before the World Championship Final, Team Unicorn youngster Arron Monk will contest the PDC Under 21 World Final on the big stage at the Alexandra Palace. He will face Dutchman Michael van Gerwen over the best of 11 legs for a winner’s cheque of £10,000
By STUART PYKE in London
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
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A face in the crowd - Prince Harry at Ally Pally