Gary Anderson and Dimitri Van Den Bergh will meet in the final of the 2020 Betfred World Matchplay.

The Flying Scotsman overcame Michael Smith 18-16 in the first semi final, in what was a contender for game of the tournament.

The Dream Maker beat Glen Durrant 17-15, in what was another thrilling semi final in Milton Keynes.

The final will take place on Sunday 26 July at 20.30 BST.

Anderson and Smith put on a show

Gary Anderson made his second World Matchplay final in three years. He beat former protege Michael Smith in another Milton Keynes classic.

The first five legs all went with throw, with The Flying Scotsman going into the first interval leading 3-2. Anderson got the break straight out of the interval, taking advantage of missed doubles from Bully Boy to go 4-2 up. Anderson would find a second break of throw in the 10th leg, as he went 7-3 up at the end of the second session.

Gary Anderson made the World Matchplay final after an 18-16 win against Michael Smith. Credit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

The two time World Champion went 8-3 up, but Bully Boy found some inspiration. He reeled off four straight legs, punishing missed darts from Anderson to get the game back on throw at 8-7 going into the third break.

Smith got the game getting back to 9-9, but this seemed to gee up Anderson. He reeled off five straight legs, hitting a magnificent 128 in the process, to go 14-9 up and within three legs. Bully Boy came roaring back though, reeling off six straight legs in a magnificent spell of darts to lead 15-14.

That would be the only time in the match he would lead though, as Anderson broke straight back to level at 15-15. The game was level at 16-16, meaning that overtime was needed, and Anderson produced some serious quality. He took out two legs in 27 darts, winning the match 18-16, bringing an absorbing contests, which featured 21 180s, to an end.

Speaking after his win, Anderson told Online Darts: “I ended up fighting myself. It’s not what the other boys do, I’m fighting myself. I get these stupid little stupid moments, and it’s driving me nuts to be honest, but we got there in the end.

Van den Bergh makes maiden TV final

Dimitri Van den Bergh also made the World Matchplay final. He beat Glen Durrant in another brilliant game this week.

Durrant began the match with a brilliant 151 checkout. He eventually wen 3-1 ahead, but the Belgian fought back. Van den Bergh won four legs on the spin to go 5-3 up, and led 6-4 at the end of the second session.

Dimitri Van den Bergh beat Glen Durrant 17-15 to book his place in the World Matchplay Final. Credit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Van den Bergh went 9-5 up, but Duzza got the game back to 9-8. However, the three time World Champion saw two darts at D18 missed for 9-9. Van den Bergh managed to win the leg, and had a 12-8 lead at the fourth session interval.

Durrant would not go away easily though. He managed to dig in and find a way back into the game. He hit five of the next six legs, including a 76 and 97 out, to regain the lead at 14-13.

Duzza lead 15-14, but Van den Bergh found D8 to level at 15-15. Duzza then missed the bull in the 31st leg, which the Belgian capitalised on to take the lead back at 16-15. He then hit D16 in the next leg, which saw him become number 16 in the world and win 17-15 for his first ever PDC TV final.

After his win ecstatic Van den Bergh told Online Darts: “From the moment I woke up today, to the moment I was playing on that stage, until the last double, I wasn’t nervous. I think that if I feel a little bit nervous, I am so much better.

“I managed to win, and I’m so proud of it. But hey, there’s still one more game to play. I’m not finished.”

Day Eight Results

Gary Anderson 18-16 Michael Smith

Glen Durrant 15-17 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Day Nine Schedule of Play

Sunday July 26 (2030)
Final
Gary Anderson v Dimitri Van den Bergh

How can I follow the World Matchplay?

The Betfred World Matchplay will be live on Sky Sports in the UK. You can also watch it outside the UK via the PDC’s broadcast partners, such as RTL or DAZN.

You can also live stream the event. Find out more by visiting this page.

We’ll have you covered here at Online Darts.

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We’ll also produce the Matchplay Daily. This round up show will feature reaction, news and debate from every day of the Matchplay. It will be available on YouTube and Spotify the morning after each day.

Plus, we’ll be giving regular updates across our:

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