Grand Slam of Darts: Raymond van Barneveld stuns Gerwyn Price to set up semi-final showdown with Michael Smith | Darts News

Raymond van Barneveld produced one of the most impressive feats in Grand Slam Darts history to surprise champion Gerwyn Price and set up a semi-final showdown against Michael Smith in Wolverhampton.

The 55-year-old – who has been in the quarter-finals for the last time since November 2019 – recovered from 8-3 down to send Price packing on a thrilling Friday night in Wolverhampton.

The five-time world champion – who only retired last February – went back in time a few years to beat Price in the tournament at Aldersley Leisure Village.

Barney will take on Michael Smith on Sunday night’s show, after Smith recovered from 15-13 to edge Joe Cullen in a dramatic final leg decision.

Van Barneveld defeated Price in a thrilling group stage match earlier, and repeated the same feat to secure his place in his first Grand Slam semifinal since 2015.

The 2012 champion missed darts to win the first two legs, and despite landing a 10-darter to open his account, he trailed Price 3-2 in the first period with a 107 average.

The doyen of Dutch darts followed up his third 180 and finished 98 to level within 12 darts, but paid the price for a two-dart damage in the eighth leg, when three 13-darts lifted Price to a 7-3 lead in front of Wales. extended his winning streak to five legs as he threatened to escape the tie.

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Barney scored this 157 as the doyen of Dutch darts was chased down for years against World No 1 Price.

But Van Barneveld staged a remarkable revival, punishing seven three-leg misses from Price to make it six legs without reply, before raising the roof with an impressive 157 to go 10-8 ahead.

Van Barneveld was riding high, tying the bullpen to post 170 at the end when Price stopped the rot, but the former Premier League champion responded with a combined two-shot 78 to restore his two-leg defence.

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RVB celebrates his surprise win with Price after fighting back from 8-3 down to take the upper hand

He continued his incredible run with legs 13 and 12 to stretch his lead to 13-10, and with Price reeling on the outside ring, Van Barneveld nailed four to go within two legs of a notable victory but Price gave up three. straight legs to be 13-14, with a break of arrows 12 leg 26.

However, with the world number 1 poised to make it 14-14, Van Barneveld sank a nerveless 71 over the top to move one leg, before firing a stunning 13-darter to cap off an inspired display.

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Raymond van Barneveld believes he can win the Grand Slam of Darts title ten years after he last won the tournament.

“I’ve been struggling for years, but I’m very happy right now. How do I feel,” expressed Van Barneveld, reaching his first semi-final since the 2017 World Championship.

“I’m probably in the top five of all time with Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Eric Bristow and John Lowe, and everyone knows I can do it. It’s all about belief.”

“I love playing darts, I love playing in front of this amazing crowd, and I believe I can win this.”

In the first round of the quarter-final, Smith, a two-time world champion, raced out of the blocks before facing a mid-game challenge, but fought hard to win the sprint, denying Cullen a single game. closing stages.

Smith enjoyed a productive opening session, hitting four 180s in as many legs to do the job, although Cullen remained in contention after the St Helens star denied three shots to take a 4-1 lead.

‘The Rockstar’ then followed up with a clinical 116 in six legs with an impressive 170 to restore parity at four apiece, but Smith soon regained control, maintaining his impressive score to go 6-4 ahead with a 110 average.

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Cullen smashed this monster 170 against Smith – the second ‘Big Fish’ of the tournament

Following a sequence of four straight strokes, Cullen punished a lazy leg from Smith to reduce the deficit to 8-7, and continued his charge with a 13-dart break on the 19th leg to take the lead for the first time before making it seven legs from. eight with a game-high 12-darter to take a 12-9 lead.

Smith provided a strong riposte, turning in 110 and 78 finishes before stopping four straight runs to narrow the gap to 13-12.

The Masters champion responded with a strong throw to go on to win at 15-13, before hitting two maximums in the 29th leg to pile on Smith’s pressure.

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Smith won the tournament best with a 76 check in the qualifying leg

However, the two-time World Championship winner got the job done, following a 70 skin discount with a big break of 11 darts to force his decision leg.

‘Bully Boy’ had the chance to bowl the last ball, and although Cullen shot his 11th over to set up a two-over lead, Smith sealed his progress and finished with a top 76 to secure his place. in the semi-finals on Sunday.

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Michael Smith battled back from 15-13 to edge Joe Cullen in an epic semi-final.

“I’m 15-13, it was now or never,” admitted Smith, who hit 100 and scored 14 maximums to win the Wolverhampton tournament.

“I feel bad for Joe because I love him like a brother, but someone had to lose, and I’m glad I was able to cross that line.”

The quarter-final line-up will be completed on Saturday night, with three-time champion Michael van Gerwen taking on Luke Humphries, while World Grand Prix runner-up Nathan Aspinall takes on Alan Soutar.

Watch the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton until the final on November 20 – every episode is on Sky Sports and don’t forget the World Championship is also coming to Sky Sports from December 15 to January 3. .