Simon Whitlock insisted he can defy the odds and win the Ladbroke’s World Championship, after silencing his doubters by thrashing bookies favourite Gary Anderson to reach the semi-finals.

The Wizard was told by doctors, just four weeks ago, that he would not be going to the Alexandra Palace at all because of his broken ankle. Remarkably, he is now just one game away from reaching his second final in three years.

Whitlock believes that the injury has helped sharpen up his game and is confident he can go all the way. He said: “I believe I can win it now, I wasn’t sure at the start of the tournament but, especially after beating Gary, I know I’ve got the game to win it.”

“My injury has actually improved my game because I had to adapt and change the way I played. I didn’t want to change it but it’s slowed me down and now I’m throwing every dart and not wasting any. I’m feeling good now. I don’t even think about my ankle when I’m on stage and I’m really happy with how I’m playing. I want to win this.”

Whitlock reeled off five consecutive legs, after going behind, to defeat Premier League winner Anderson, and admitted that his superior finishing was the difference. He said: “Gary misses doubles sometimes but every time he’s played me, he never seems to miss. I knew if he went through a patch of missing a few, then I had the ability to take advantage of that, and that’s exactly what happened.”

The 2010 finalist hit a brilliant 42 percent of his doubles to set up a semi-final clash with Andy Hamilton on New Years Day. Whitlock said: “He (Hamilton) beat me recently but I’m not thinking about my opponents anymore. I’ll just go up there and play my game and I’m confident of beating anyone at the moment.”

If Whitlock comes through that match he will face either Adrian Lewis or James Wade in Monday’s final. The Australian said that clinching the title at the Ally Pally would mean everything to him. “The crowd here are incredible; it’s a really special place and an unbelievable feeling when they get behind me. To become World Champion here would mean the world to me” he said.

The world number five wants to win his first PDC major title for the biggest influences in his life. He added: “I’d like to win it for my parents too. It would be great to win something in front of my Mum. My dad passed away twelve years ago and it would be even more special if he had been here because he never saw me win anything. I’d love to win the trophy and dedicate it to him.”

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock remains on course to be crowned World Champion after another sensational display saw him demolish bookies favourite Gary Anderson in the quarter finals.

The Wizard provided a master class in finishing to see off The Premier League winner, posting an impressive 42 percent success rate on his doubles. He reeled off five consecutive sets to set up a semi-final showdown with Andy Hamilton.

Anderson held his throw in the opening leg before Whitlock hit double top to do the same. The Flying Scotsman then produced a 151 finish to prevent Whitlock from snatching an early break of throw. It was Anderson who grabbed the first break of throw in the very next leg, as he hit double five to go a set in front.

The Wizard hit double 18 to take the lead in set two. He then slotted in his first 180 to put pressure on the Anderson throw, and he made it count by producing a stunning 121 finish on the bullseye. The Scotsman broke back and then held his throw to level the set before Whitlock struck back, hitting double four to leave the match tied at a set each.

Whitlock hit another maximum against the throw but was unable to get the break, as Anderson hit double one to edge in front. The Australian replied with his third 180 and went on to hit double top to hold his own throw. He then made his opponent pay for missed doubles with a ruthless two dart finish, taking out 74 against the throw to take the lead. The Wizard hit double eight to win the set and go ahead in the match for the first time.

Whitlock continued his charge, opening the first leg of the fourth set with back to back maximums, eventually hitting double one to hold his throw. The world number five then broke the Scotsman’s throw, but Anderson broke back straight away before holding to level the set. The Wizard conjured up his sixth 180 in response, going on to open up a two set advantage by hitting double seven.

The 2010 runner-up hit another maximum against the throw and took out 58 to win the first leg of set five. Whitlock produced another clinical checkout, this time 81, to move closer to claiming another set. He wrapped it up straight away by breaking throw again to increase his lead to four sets to one.

Anderson managed to break the throw in the first leg of the sixth set, and he hit tops to double his lead. The Wizard responded with a fantastic fourteen dart leg, before firing in another 180 on his way to another break of throw to leave himself throwing for the match. Whitlock almost won the match in superb style but just missed the bull for a 95 checkout, but he cleaned up the 25 to book his place in the semi-finals after another relentless performance.

Whitlock will play Hamilton on News Years Day for a place in the final.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade moved a step closer to winning his first Ladbrokes World Championship title after beating John Part in an amazing sudden-death leg at the Alexandra Palace.

The Machine produced a stunning performance under no end of pressure from the three-time world champion, hitting five checkouts of over a hundred to win the quarter final clash.

With the players inseparable after eight sets and eight legs, Wade held his nerve to win a tense final leg. He won the bull to take the darts and hit 81 followed by a 140 to move closer to victory. Part kept up the pressure with a 174 to leave 128, but missed his second treble. The Machine kept his cool and hit 85 in two darts to win the battle and book his place in the semi-finals.

Wade hit double ten to hold his throw in the opening leg before grabbing an early break of throw by hitting double top. The seven-time major winner then found the double twenty bed again to win a third leg on the spin and take the first set.

Part got a leg on the board before Wade took out 48 to level. Darth Maple held again but the world number three hit back with his first 180 followed by a fine 82 finish to square up the set. Part had to pull out a wonderful 167 checkout to hold his throw, pulling the match level.

Wade hit double ten to take the lead in the third set and then produced a tidy 65 finish to break his opponent’s throw. The UK Open winner then wrapped up the set, hitting double ten to regain his advantage.

The Machine then put on a sensational show to win set four, hitting a brilliant 108 finish against the throw. He followed that up with his second maximum before producing another fabulous checkout, this time 140. He then hit double top again to open up a three one lead.

Wade continued to finish clinically when he took out 103 to edge ahead in the fifth set. Part held his throw to level before The Machine took out 84 in two darts to do the same. He then just missed the Bull for a 126 finish before the Canadian won the next two legs to win the set.

Part held his throw in the first leg of the sixth set before taking out 116 to break again and double his lead. Darth Maple then took out 75 to level the match.

Wade stopped the rot by hitting double top to hold his throw before his opponent did the same. The Machine hammered home another maximum before taking out 82 under pressure to edge back in front. Darth Maple held again and Wade responded with his fifth 180 but was unable to prevent Part breaking his throw to go ahead in the match for the first time.

With Part needing to keep hold of is throw in the eighth set to win the match, Wade hit double hit ten to grab a crucial break.  He then took out 81 to double his lead with a fantastic twelve dart leg. The Canadian held his throw to pull a leg back but The Machine found double top again to restore parity and force a deciding set.

Wade hit double five under extreme pressure to hold his throw in the first leg of the decider before Part levelled. The Machine kept his composure under pressure again, hitting double two to edge back in front. Darth Maple held his throw again, meaning either player needed to win by two clear legs.

Wade forced himself in front in the tie breaker by hitting the tournament’s 500^th 180, followed by a magnificent 124 checkout on the bull. The Canadian pulled level again by holding his throw before breaking to leave himself throwing for the match. The Machine kept his title dream alive with another big finish, taking out 108 to pull himself level. He then produced back to back 180’s to go back in front with a phenomenal twelve dart leg. Part hit double top to hold his throw and force the sudden death leg, which The Machine won on double top to reach the final four

Wade will play either Adrian Lewis or Terry Jenkins on Sunday evening for a place in the final.

By Chris Murphy