“Our seeding said we should have only got to the quarter-finals so
we’ve surpassed that, but now we’re in the semi-finals we want to win
it.”
England found things a bit easier than most in the quarter finals when
they took on the only remaining unseeded nation, South Africa.
Devon Petersen put in a good display, taking Phil Taylor to a deciding
leg, but when The Power prevailed the writing was on the wall and
Adrian Lewis had soon wrapped up victory with a defeat of Graham
Filby.
“Devon pushed me all the way and it was a weird game because every
leg went against the darts, but I wanted to make an impression and
then Adrian went on and did the business against Graham too,” said
Taylor.
“It’s down to the nitty gritty now and we’re in the zone. We’ve gelled
as a pair and I think Australia will be more worried about us in the
semis than we are against them.
“It would mean a huge amount to us if we can go on and win this again
tonight.”
Australia completed the semi-final line-up with a victory over Wales,
who failed to reach the last four for the first time in the tournaments
history.
Simon Whitlock got the Aussies off to a great start as he defeated Mark
Webster, only for Richie Burnett to level things up when he defeated
Paul Nicholson 4-2.
The deciding doubles match was one of the most one-sided of the
tournament, with the Australian duo running out 4-0 winners to set up
an Ashes clash with England in the semi-finals.
“I’ve had a lot of experience playing pairs in Australia and I believe
I’m one of the best in the world when I feel confident like this,” said
Whitlock.
“I’ve won all my Singles games so far, and even though I’m using a
brand new set of darts - after breaking a point yesterday on my other
set - I’m feeling great.
“Paul’s a great partner and we’ve got some good chemistry, and I think
we’re going to be the ones to beat now. We’ve got the experience of
being in the later stages so there’s no reason why we can’t win.
“I’m a very proud Australia and I wear the colours in my beard and my
hair, and it would be up there as one of my best results ever to win this
World Cup tonight.”
Semi-Finals
Brendan Dolan continued his fine run of form as he defeated Michael
“I’m a very proud
Australia and I
wear the colours in
my beard and my
hair, and it would
be up there as one
of my best results
ever to win this
World Cup tonight”
Simon Whitlock
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
“It’s going to be very tight in the semi-finals and I think it will be close,
but we’re full of confidence. I know how good everybody