Dave Chisnall stuns Michael Van Gerwen to book semi-final spot

Dave Chisnall (left) is through to the PDC World Championship semi-finals for the first time following his victory over Michael Van Gerwen (right) (John Walton/PA).

Dave Chisnall sent Michael Van Gerwen crashing out of the PDC World Championship with a shock 5-0 victory over the world number one in Friday’s quarter-finals.

A superb display from Chisnall at Alexandra Palace saw him average 107.34 and hit 14 180s as he whitewashed three-time champion Van Gerwen and moved into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.

Chisnall’s last-four opponent will be two-time winner Gary Anderson, while the other semi-final will be between Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting.

𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗭𝗭𝗬 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗘𝗡

Dave Chisnall produces the biggest win of his career WHITEWASHING the world number one Michael van Gerwen 5-0 to reach the semi-finals of the William Hill World Darts Championship!

Simply sensational. pic.twitter.com/Lpv91X0sMc

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2021

The emphatic win by world number eight Chisnall – who almost registered a nine-dart leg, only missing a double 12 – ended a run of 27 matches without a victory over Van Gerwen.

The 40-year-old Englishman told Sky Sports: “I’m so proud. I’ve been practising well, I’ve been playing well I’d say for the last three, four weeks. I have put the effort in. I changed my points to a little bit smaller.

“I was confident against Dimitri (Van Den Burgh in the previous round) and this morning when I woke up I was confident again, just sitting in my hotel room watching the TV.

“I want it (the world title) more than anybody else does. I know my own ability, I know I’m playing well. I can win this.”

Defeat left Van Gerwen “absolutely devastated”.

Absolutely devastated right now, I didn’t show up at all this evening and let myself down. For some reason it just never happened up there.

Full credit to @ChizzyChisnall who was outstanding all game, and wish him luck for the rest of the tournament. Thank you for the support 💚 pic.twitter.com/bWfdjyGP6d

— Michael Van Gerwen (@MvG180) January 1, 2021

He added on Twitter: “I didn’t show up at all this evening and let myself down. For some reason it just never happened up there.

“Full credit to @ChizzyChisnall who was outstanding all game, and wish him luck for the rest of the tournament. Thank you for the support.”

Anderson earlier defeated Dirk Van Duijvenbode, losing the opening set before surging to a 5-1 triumph.

The Scot, who averaged 101.07, said: “That was good. First set Dirk went off like he did and I played actually all right – I went, ‘Here we go’. But I stuck in.”

Asked if we were seeing the Anderson of 2015 and 2016, the years he won the title, the 50-year-old said: “Not quite yet. It’s getting there.

“The 140s are coming good now. Still a few mistakes, but happy.”

𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉 𝙃𝙄𝙏𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙈

Gary Anderson seems to be finding his rhythm at the right time...

He's into the Semi-Finals, beating Dirk van Duijvenbode 5-1, averaging 101.07 in the process.

Is he destined for a third world title? pic.twitter.com/2kgGCDtPaW

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2021

He added: “If I wasn’t to win this title I’d love to see Chizzy (Chisnall) win it. He’s been on the go for years and he is a phenomenal darts player.”

Wales’ world number three Price reached his second successive semi-final as he beat Daryl Gurney 5-4.

And Bunting secured a maiden last-four appearance via a 5-3 win against Krzysztof Ratajski.