Michael van Gerwen booked his place in the semi-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with a magnificent performance on Saturday evening, while fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld also progressed into the last four in Wolverhampton.

van Gerwen hit two stunning maximum finishes of 170 in a 16-12 triumph over 2010 champion Scott Waites, with the Dutch sensation averaging over 106 in a brilliant match.

“I was very happy to win the match,” said van Gerwen, who faces Dean Winstanley in the semi-finals.

“I was not happy with some of my legs because I missed quite a few darts a doubles.

“But winning the match is the most important thing and I can focus on the semi-finals now and another very tough match.”

“Hitting two 170s is very special so I am happy but tomorrow is another day and I am looking no further than my next game.”

van Barneveld saw off BDO World Champion Christian Kist with a 16-10 triumph, hitting twelve 180s in the process.

‘Barney’ averaged over 100 in the victory, which keeps the five-time World Champion on course to win a major title for the first time since 2007.

“I’m really pleased to be through,”said van Barneveld, who faces Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.

“It was important for me to win this game and I’m pleased it was shown live in Holland for people to see it.

“I have to rest now ahead of the semi-final which will be a tough match but if I can keep playing like this I can win it.

“To win a big trophy like this after five years would be an emotional moment for me.”

By Chris Murphy

van Barneveld 16-10 Kist (match report)

van Gerwen 16-12 Waites (match report)

Michael van Gerwen booked his place in the quarter-finals of the William Grand Slam of Darts with a magnificent victory against 15-time World Champion Phil Taylor.

The in form Dutchman, who recently won his first PDC major title at the World Grand Prix in Dublin, hit seven 180s and posted a fabulous 108.38 average in a brilliant match in Wolverhampton.

van Gerwen won seven out of the last eight legs to triumph 10-5 over Taylor to move into the last eight of the tournament for the first time.

“I’m so happy to win,” said ‘Mighty Mike’, who had won all three of his games in the group stage.

“To beat Phil when he plays like that is very hard and I had to play what was one of the best games of my life.

“This is a big moment for me but I have to be ready for the next game now and I hope to go on and win the tournament.”

Taylor took the opening leg but van Gerwen levelled with the aid of his first maximum.

‘The Power’ edged back in front before ‘Mighty Mike’ produced a lovely 82 checkout, hitting the bull and double 16.

The next three legs all went with the throw, with Taylor taking out 125 to move into a 4-3 lead.

van Gerwen then went on a mini power surge of his own, however, hitting three more 180s as he took the next three legs.

The ninth leg proved to pivotal, when Taylor missed the bull for a 167 checkout and ‘Mighty Mike’ stepped in for the first break of throw, finishing 91 to move ahead for the first time.

He then pinned tops to double his lead, before taking out a brilliant 130 finish on the bull against the throw.

The Dutch sensation took a fifth consecutive leg with another 91 checkout but the world number one pegged him back, despite van Gerwen hitting his seventh maximum.

‘Mighty Mike’ posted double 16 to move within a leg of victory, before sealing the match on tops.

Robert Thornton and Arron Monk were denied last eight spots though.

Thornton was edged out 10-8 by Scott Waites in a match where both players averaged over 102, while Monk suffered defeat at the hands of Dean Winstanley.

By Chris Murphy