World No. 8 Dave Chisnall (+400) destroyed three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen Friday in a 5-0 victory against the dominating Dutchman that shocked Chisnall himself.
The 40-year-old Englishman overcame an oh-for-27 streak against van Gerwen that dates back to February 2016.
First PDC Semis with No Dutch Athlete Since ’12
Chisnall’s first televised win in a major also marks his first time the semis at Alexandra Palace in his career. Van Gerwen’s early exit marks the first time since 2012 that no Dutch athlete has reached the semis at worlds.
It was an odds-defying New Year’s Day morning as Stephen Bunting (+150) led off the day as the first player through after an unlikely victory over Krzysztof Ratajski.
Bunting reached the quarter-finals during his debut season in 2015 but hasn’t advanced this far since. He has had a pair of stunning comebacks leading up to the round of eight and continued his streak as he polished off “The Polish Eagle†5-3 after going up 3-0 and throwing five 180’s, and four ton-plus checkouts.
Bunting Still Underdog vs. Welshman Gerwyn Price
Bunting will face World the tournament’s current odds-favorite Gerwyn Price for his biggest uphill outing yet. The Welshman can also capture the No. 1 ranking from van Gerwen if he wins the match after taking out Daryl Gurney in the final leg of the deciding set midday Friday.
The semifinal round sets off Saturday at 10 a.m. ET with Bunting (+160 on Bovada) vs. Price (-375) followed at 10:15 a.m. ET with Chisnall (-135) vs. two-time PDC World Champion (2015-’16) Gary Anderson. All matches stream on Sky Sports.