Ever since Michael van Gerwan was sent tumbling from the World Matchplay by Jeffrey de Zwaan, Gary Anderson has had the expectant eyes of Planet Darts upon him.
The two-time world champion almost immediately leaped into the favourite’s slot with MVG’s exit, but he was made to work all the way by a brave Joe Cullen in last night’s quarter-final at the Winter Gardens.
Anderson’s 19-17 victory set social media alight, but it was the fourth leg of the contest that got people talking the most as The Flying Scotsman banged in a wondrous nine-dart finish to send the crowd wild.
Cullen could just stand back and admire as the Scot put in an utterly nerveless 141 checkout to seal the deal. Check it out thanks to the PDC Twitter account below:
Arrow over to PaddyPower.com to all the latest Darts oddsNINE DARTER FROM GARY ANDERSON | Anderson reels in the biggest fish of all to send the Winter Gardens crowd into a frenzy!!#BVDarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/n0yhmcnksc
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2018
Anderson wasn’t the only one at it either as Cullen brought a hell of lot to the party and it was his ability to keep hanging in with the world number two that impressed most of all.
He produced his own moment of magic in the 19th leg taking out the top outshot 170 to break the throw with Anderson waiting on double four:
CULLEN REELS IN THE BIG FISH FOR A SECOND TIME THIS WEEK!
The standard of play in this quarter final is through the roof. Stop everything you are doing and switch on the darts NOW!#BVDarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/IgwqaIyS1f
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2018
After seriously impressive upset wins over van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis and Dave Chisnall, Jeffrey de Zwaan awaits Anderson in Saturday’s semi-final.
However, after last night we’re not looking past the 5/6 shot of Scotland’s finest darts player claiming the World Matchplay for the very first time.
Step up to the oche for Darts betting at PaddyPower.com* All odds correct at time of posting.