Wright on song to set up Van Gerwen showdown
Scot wins 6-2 in stunning semi-f inal display
Tuesday 31 december 2013 tion of the first as Wright held his throw on double eight after Whitlock missed double top for a 100 finish.
Whitlock then passed up a glorious opportunity with 81 after nine darts thrown, but failed with four attempts at doubles, and Wright punished his opponent by hitting double 16 for a 64 finish.
The australian then landed double nine for an 87 finish to break throw and reduce the deficit to one, before drawing level at 2-2 by hitting double 18 with an accurate third dart for an 84 finish, with Wright waiting on 32.
But Wright converted a 61 finish in the decisive leg, on double top, and moved further ahead by taking a two-set lead.
In the third set, Wright found the double five bed with his third dart, to break Whitlock’s throw, but Whitlock hit back with scores of 180, 140 and 133 before hitting double 16, to win the leg in 12 darts.
However, Wright once again showed the greater nerve and broke his opponent’s throw on double 12 before taking a threeset lead as the scotsman hit double 16 to establish a creditable lead.
Whitlock did start to eat into Wright’s lead by taking the fourth set, impressive in the opening leg with a 130 checkout on the bullseye. The no 4 seed then landed double 20, for a 13-dart finish as Wright had no answer.
The leader responded by hitting double 16 at the first time of asking to reduce the deficit,