Michael Smith overcame double trouble-stricken Rob Cross to secure a blockbuster World Match Play semi-final win over Michael van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen and Smith will face each other after beating Andrew Gilding and Rob Cross in their respective quarter-finals on Friday.
The Dutch superstars beat Guilding 16-10 in the evening's opening game despite a listless start, with Smith sweeping home a stray cross to send Blackpool into a third semi-final.
The pair will face off in a thrilling semi-final at the Winter Garden on Saturday, and we'll get to see the 2023 World Championship Final once again, one of the greatest darts matches of all time!
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Michael van Gerwen had missed nine darts in last year's World Championship final before Michael Smith achieved the feat.
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Michael Smith said he made the most of Rob Cross' missed double to reach a third semi-final.
Smith did what he needed to do, knocking down a cross that would have caused nightmares about double 16.
'Bully Boy' has been out of form since winning the World Championships 18 months ago and has not won a major since.
But winning a Pro Tour event and teaming up with Luke Humphreys to win the World Cup of Darts has seen the St Helens native revive his game and he is now a contender for his first match play title.
He was the better player but his finishing was a bit erratic, with his cross going wide at double 16.
The 2019 champion missed 12 attempts from the bed and suffered a major blow as Smith cruised to a crushing 16-7 victory.
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Smith produced this magnificent top-flight finish in the win over Cross.
“I told Rob that early on there were no doubles at all, I just jumped in and hit the shots,” he said.
“If he doesn't challenge me, I'll challenge him all day long. Now I'm in the semi-finals.
“Every time I turned around I thought he was going to miss. He fired three darts from 32 yards, and Rob Cross doesn't miss.”
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Cross had a disappointing night in D16 after losing to Smith, and even Wayne Mardle couldn't hide his frustration on commentary.
MVG, had to overcome boredom
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Michael van Gerwen found it difficult to cope with Andrew Gilding's pace.
Van Gerwen fought a close match against Guilding in the opening round, the first televised match between the two players since Guilding stunned the Dutchman to win the UK Open last year.
However, the three-time champion won 10 of his final 12 matches in the latter stages of the tournament to advance to his seventh World Match Play semi-final.
Van Gerwen was unhappy with his performance in the doubles and found it difficult to match Guilding's pace.
“It was a really tough game. Everyone knows it's hard to play against him, he's really slow,” he said.
“It can be a bit boring to play sometimes, but as a darts player you have to be the best. It was really tough, I have to admit, it was tough at times.
“It was tough because I missed so many doubles, but eventually I found a different gear and was able to win the game.
“I know I can do much better. I'm fighting my own battle.”
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Gilding thrilled the Blackpool crowd with 132 points.
Greatest Bridge Ever? | Can Smith and MVG Repeat 9-Dart Drama?
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Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke reacted to a sensational bridge between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in the World Championship final, which ended with Bully Boy's nine-dart finish.
What happens at the World Match Play on Saturday?
Van Gerwen is aiming for a fourth World Matchplay title in Blackpool.
The 2024 Betfred World Matchplay will continue at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, with the semi-finals taking place on Saturday 20 July from 8pm on Sky Sports Action and from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event. Get instant access to World Matchplay for just £26.
World number one Luke Humphries faces 2007 champion James Wade in the evening's opening match, before Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith resume their battle for a spot in Sunday's final.
This iconic summer tournament sees the world's biggest stars compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize money.
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