Ryan Joyce, Ritchie Edhouse, Michael Smith and Krzysztof Ratajski into semifinals of Players Championship 9

Ryan Joyce, Ritchie Edhouse, Michael Smith and Krzysztof Ratajski advanced to the semifinals of the ninth Players Championship tournament in Hildesheim on Monday.

Joyce made it to the final four by dealing with Chris Dobey in a high-stakes match. Both men threw averages above 100. However, the win went 6-4 to Joyce, who turned a 2-4 deficit into a 6-4 victory. He will face Edhouse, who was too strong for Callan Rydz, 6-5, in the semifinals.

The quarterfinal between Ratajski and Stephen Bunting was also a cracker, in which both players managed to throw 104 average. A break by Ratajski in the fourth leg with a 15-darter eventually proved decisive, as that break allowed the Pole to win 6-4.

Smith is the highest ranked player in the world in the last four. 'Bullyboy' upset compatriot Luke Woodhouse 6-3 in his quarterfinal. In this match, Smith posted an average of 109.91 by throwing an 11-darter and two 12-darters.

Results Players Championship 9

Last 16

Ryan Joyce (97.89) 6 | 5 (93.82) Dave Chisnall

Chris Dobey (105.25) 6 | 2 (93.58) Robert Grundy

Callan Rydz (88.27) 6 | 3 (82.68) Scott Williams

Ritchie Edhouse (91.09) 6 | 0 (82.19) Andrew Gilding

Michael Smith (90.18) 6 | 0 (84.34) Richard Veenstra

Luke Woodhouse (100.44) 6 | 1 (88.97) Patrick Geeraets

Krzysztof Ratajski (98.53) 6 | 4 (90.39) Kevin Doets

Stephen Bunting (97.19) 6 | 4 (92.96) Gian van Veen

Quarterfinals

Ryan Joyce (100.68) 6 | 4 (102.04) Chris Dobey

Ritchie Edhouse (97.40) 6 | 5 (93.19) Callan Rydz

Michael Smith (109.91) 6 | 3 (99.61) Luke Woodhouse

Krzysztof Ratajski (104.48) 6 | 4 (104.27) Stephen Bunting

Semi-final

Ryan Joyce - | - Ritchie Edhouse

Michael Smith - | - Krzysztof Ratajski