World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen holds off Callan ...

Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in a high-quality quarter-final at the World Darts Championship to set up a last-four clash with Chris Dobey.

Van Gerwen, who has now reached the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace nine times, produced his best performance of the tournament so far, and needed to as both players averaged over 100.

The Dutchman is looking to win a fourth world title and will face Dobey, who defeated Gerwyn Price 5-3 in the first match of the afternoon.

"He gave me everything. He didn't stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up I thought I broke him but he never gave up," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

"I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and I'm really happy with my performance. My game is in a good place. We are only in the semis so it doesn't mean anything yet.

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"The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy. He kept me constantly under pressure It's one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I'm over the moon.

"I've had a tough year and have been battling everywhere. I'm still here and believe in my own ability. This means a lot to me."

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The opening two sets were shared as Rydz knocked in back-to-back 12-darters to make it 1-1.

Van Gerwen edged a tight third set before Rydz came back, only to miss a set dart to go 3-2 ahead.

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Instead, Van Gerwen, who had two serious attempts at a nine-darter but failed to execute, moved a set clear again and raced into a 4-2 lead.

Rydz won a thrilling seventh set with a tops-tops finish but 'The Riot' missed two set darts to send the match into a decider as Van Gerwen produced a final moment of quality to get through.

Dobey fights back to reach semis for first time

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Dobey reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for the first time, coming from two sets down to beat Price 5-3.

Just like his previous two matches, Price made a fast start before beginning to miss key doubles and was punished by Dobey, who averaged 113 in the third set as he started his comeback.

Price missed a set dart in the fourth as Dobey levelled the match before winning the next two sets.

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The Welshman, who continued to rue several missed doubles, was booed by the crowd at the start of the seventh set after he reacted with a wild celebration.

It seemed to spur Price on as he capitalised on five missed match darts from Dobey to pull a set back before dancing on the Alexandra Palace stage.

But Dobey, who was competing in his third successive quarter-final, kept his nerve and dominated the last set, winning with a spectacular 20-D18-D18 checkout.

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"Getting over that defeat [to Rob Cross] last year and getting over the line this year means so much," Dobey told Sky Sports.

"I've never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today. I was thinking about last year and kept thinking, 'keep going, you will get another chance'. Luckily I found a way over the line. I'm overwhelmed.

"He [Price] didn't give it as much as I thought he would. That might have helped me.

"I'm buzzing to get that win. I probably wouldn't have done it without this crowd."

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch the semi-finals and final exclusively live on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW