Anderson eyes title as Chisnall record is in vain
Not even equalling the world record for the most 180s thrown in a match could save unlucky loser Dave Chisnall yesterday.
An extraordinary match at London’s Alexandra Palace ended in a 5-3 win for Gary Anderson, who is searching for a third successive PDC World Darts Championship title and now advances to the semi-finals.
Chisnall hit an astonishing 21 180s in the quarter-final, matching Raymond van Barneveld’s number of maximums during his unforgettable final against Phil taylor in 2007.
Chizzy lost here, however, and Anderson is also looking to make history by going for a third title on the trot. only taylor and Eric Bristow have enjoyed three straight successes.
Winning this set up a semi-final against fellow Scot Peter Wright tomorrow and Anderson — who hit 12 maximums himself — said: ‘All I can remember is loads of 180s because Dave is one of the biggest scorers in the game. Hats off to him. He had me done. But I am still here fighting.
‘I was a wee bit panicky in the last set and I am now looking forward to the semis.’
Anderson — notoriously nervous before stepping foot on stage, so much so that he is sometimes sick — could still join the pair in the history books.
Earlier in the day, Wright became the first player to book his place in the semi-finals by coming from 2-1 down to beat James Wade 5-3 — in a game that saw play suspended due to an on-stage draft.
‘A fire alarm was activated within another area of the Alexandra Palace and as a consequence all the air vents opened, including those in the main arena,’ a PDC spokesperson said.
Wright is trying to win his first world title after finishing runner-up in 2014 to Michael van Gerwen, who last night defeated Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney 5-1 in their quarter-final encounter.
Reaching the semi-finals guarantees a payday of at least £80,000 and speaking after his match, Wright said: ‘It is a big jump, from £38,000 to £80,000 — these three darts are worth £14,000 each. But it is not about money.
‘It was a difficult match. James is an awesome player and he is not going to give you anything.
‘I used to throw fast when I was younger and I used to lose games as that last dart would not go in... if you took the time as you did on the first dart, you might get it.’
‘I pretend I’m playing Phil taylor or Michael van Gerwen,’ he said. ‘I want to be that focused.’
the semi-finals will be played tomorrow, with the final on Monday.