Day 13 darts afternoon session review: Anderson, Klaasen through

Alan Norris 4-5 Jelle Klaasen (3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 0-3, 3-1, 2-3, 0-3)

The Cobra unleashed his powers straight from the off, with big scoring and high checkouts, and should have taken the first set after missing five darts on doubles. But Norris, in his debut PDC World Championship tournament, kept calm and broke in the crucial fifth leg.

Klaasen nearly let slip the second set too, after allowing Norris to break back in the fourth, but eventually levelled the scores after a 116 checkout.

Chuck took the third set in style, winning to nil, and The Cobra looked as if he was tiring, perhaps after his epic with Phil Taylor in the final match of the last round.

Former BDO World Championship runner-up Norris was now in full flight, and managed a magnificent 121 checkout (with bullseye finish) on his way to going two sets clear of the 2006 Lakeside winner.

Klaasen upped his game and clawed back the next two to set up a tight finish, though Norris too went up a gear and came a whisker away from getting the tournament’s first nine-darter this year after going 4-3 up.

INCREDIBLE standard of darts up on stage right now! @mfnw180 almost hitting another 9 dart here! #WHDarts https://t.co/FGFa4ulonL

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2016

The highly passionate Chuck was on throw for the match, but The Cobra forced yet another decider this event by getting important 180s and back-to-back 11-dart legs.

The Cobra into the last 8! @JelleK180 finishes the job against @mfnw180 in a match you could not take your eyes off! https://t.co/Ar4nzT7zR5

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2016

Completely against the momentum, Dutchman Klaasen went 2-0 up in the final set and eventually closed it out after a fourth attempt on his favourite double 18 finish. He reaches the semis in the PDC version for the first time.

Gary Anderson 5-1 James Wade (3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)

There was arguably more at stake in this match, as both players were decent pre-tournament title chances, with Anderson the defending champion and Wade hoping to prove he has what it takes to finally claim the crown.

Alexandra Palace is bouncing for @garyanderson180 and @jameswade180 No doubt, the hottest ticket in town! #WHdarts https://t.co/4B9WjV95zr

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2016

It started off fairly slow, but the pace soon picked up and The Flying Scotsman claimed the opening set. Anderson then did exactly what Norris did earlier and just caught the outside wire of double 12 to just miss out on a nine-darter, though he still went on to go 2-0 up after averaging a whopping 118 in the second.

The Scot looked as though he’d run away with the match with ease, after going 3-0 up (the second set in a row to nil), but Wade clawed one back despite only averaging 88 to the reining champ’s 106.

Premier League of Darts title holder Anderson made sure The Machine’s confidence halted in the next set, however, as he finished in style on bull from a 90 checkout to go 4-1 up.

Is there any way back for @JamesWade180? LIVE on Sky Sports Darts or here: https://t.co/SvTWjeSsTf #LovetheDarts https://t.co/aY2TX0LsDr

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 1, 2016

In the end, Wade seemed to have an off-day and just couldn’t keep up with the hugely impressive Flying Scotsman, who claimed a straightforward win to set up a semi-final showdown with Klaasen.

Can anyone stop @GaryAnderson180 in this form? LIVE on Sky Sports Darts: https://t.co/SvTWjeSsTf #LovetheDarts https://t.co/POH9ogJdEi

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 1, 2016

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Check out more from our dedicated darts archive, where you’ll find much more on the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship.