Jonny Clayton will face Nathan Aspinall in the final | We’re back for the Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday from 1pm at the iconic Winter Gardens before the bottom two men battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy; live on Sky Sports Action from 8:00pm
Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton will contest the World Matchplay final on Sunday
Jonny Clayton overcame a marathon World Matchplay clash with Luke Humphries to set up a final meeting with Nathan Aspinall.
Welshman Clayton overcame an epic encounter to seal his place in Sunday’s masterpiece, coming back from 10-7 down to triumph 17-15.
Aspinall, meanwhile, pulled off a convincing 17-9 win against Joe Cullen in the opening match of the night, punishing a wasteful display from the Yorkshire man to keep his title bid alive.
World Matchplay Semi-Finals: Saturday, July 22
| joe cullen | 9-17 | nathan aspinall |
| Jonny Clayton | 17-15 | luke humphries |
With very little to separate the two players on the Winter Gardens stage, it was Clayton’s higher payout percentage that ultimately made the difference.
The 48-year-old, who helped lead Wales to a second World Cup of Darts title alongside Gerwyn Price in Frankfurt last month, will now go in search of his first major title since winning the Masters, Premier League and World Grand Prix in 2021.
“This means a lot to me,” mused Clayton, who averaged just under 99 and covered 61 percent of his double attempts to end the hopes of Humphries, who crashed into 10-highs in the loss.
“Going over the line against one of the best players in the world is an incredible feeling. Luke Humphries will keep going and win big titles time and time again!
“I had to dig deep, but you have to take a chance and that’s what I did, and I really hope I can lift this trophy tomorrow.”
Aspinall, who lost the Grand Slam and Grand Prix finals last year, will try to improve after beating Cullen.
A 17-9 win proved their superiority, with Cullen’s 148 payout to break in the seventh leg proving to be a false dawn for the 34-year-old.
Instead, Aspinall got clear and never seemed to make a mistake as he marched into Sunday’s final.
“Joe didn’t play well and I wasn’t anywhere near my best, but I think I was a little more clinical and so I went overboard,” said Aspinall, who averaged 95 with 11 career highs.
“I have lost my last three [televised] endings I won’t do it again. I am so confident.
“I had a bad game tonight, but I went over the line. I’m a happy guy right now and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Clayton and Aspinall were locked in a riveting battle to qualify for this year’s Premier League playoffs, and now they will renew their rivalry for the £200,000 top prize and the Phil Taylor trophy.
“Nathan and I were involved in a fight over the Premier League [Play-Offs] this year and Gezzy Price helped me. I have no help tomorrow night. I have to get the job done and I’m crossing my fingers that he gets to do it,” Clayton said.
Women’s World Cup: Sunday, July 23
| Beau Greaves | against | Noa-Lynn van Leuven |
| Robyn Byrne | against | Rhian O’Sullivan |
| mikuru suzuki | against | aileen degraaf |
| Fallon Sherrock | against | Lisa Ashton |
Beau Greaves will bow in Blackpool as the top seed in the Women’s World Matchplay after her dominance over the past 12 months, opening her challenge against Dutch debutant Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
The £25,000 event will feature the top eight players from a one-year Order of Merit based on PDC Women’s Series winnings in 20 tournaments since last August.
Ireland’s Robyn Byrne takes on Welsh ace Rhian O’Sullivan before Japanese trailblazer Mikuru Suzuki takes on last year’s finalist Aileen de Graaf.
Reigning champion Fallon Sherrock takes on darts legend Lisa Ashton in a delightful quarterfinal.
We’re back for the Women’s World Matchplay live on Sky Sports Action from 1:00pm at the iconic Winter Gardens on Sunday before the bottom two men battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy, live on Sky Sports Action from 8:00pm Stream the Women’s World Matchplay and more with NOW for £21 a month
