World Matchplay Semi-Finals: Only four remain at the Winter Gardens
Published:The World Matchplay has delivered again this year with some supreme darts on show in front of a bumper crowd in Blackpool.
Darts’ greatest ever player is predictably present at the semi-final stage and he takes on Ronnie Baxter for a place in the final, whilst James Wade and Terry Jenkins square-up in the other last-four contest.
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Two-time finalist Jenkins was mightily impressive in the last round as he disposed of current world champion Adrian Lewis with a 16-12 victory.
The 48-year-old is 7/4 to make it to the final here and he will be buoyed after winning five of the last six games against Lewis, and he has won the last three match-ups with Wade.
James Wade overcame a wonderful comeback from Michael Van Gerwen in the quarters and is 4/9 to beat Jenkins to make the final.
At one point Wade led 10-4 and the Dutchman pulled it back to 12-11 but Wade polished off the contest with a 16-12 win.
Phil Taylor v Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor has a dominant record over Ronnie Baxter winning 37 of their 40 meetings and is 1/14 to do so in this one.
The Stoke born man switched back to his old darts in his last match and it paid off as he produced his best performance of the tournament against Andy Hamilton.
Baxter hasn’t beaten The Power since 2009 and has dropped from sixth in the rankings down to 20th but was superb in his last-eight match against Justin Pipe and romantics will be attracted by his 7/1 price.
Punters may also be tempted to look to the handicap market for this one.
The 14-time world champion is 8/11 to claim victory whilst giving away 6.5 games to his opponent, and looking at Taylor’s record against Baxter this looks generous.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
