The cream has risen to the top at the
Players Championship Finals. All of the top four in the PDC Order of Merit -
Michael van Gerwen,
Peter Wright,
Gerwyn Price and
Michael Smith - are all in the quarter-finals.
They're joined by four top performers in
Joe Cullen,
Damon Heta,
Dirk van Duijvenbode and
Mervyn King. Sunday afternoon's play will decide who makes up the semi-finals.
Either Damon Heta or Mervyn King will be in the Players Championship Finals last four. If 2020 can be the year that delivers a PDC major title for King, it might just redeem itself.
Actually, that's ridiculous. Damn you, 2020. But still, the 2010 runner-up is in fine fettle and has somewhat cruised through his last two games.
Heta has gone under the radar, winning all of his games away from the spotlight on Stage Two. A first semi-final is one win away. And don't forget, he's still in his first year as a Tour Card holder.
Michael Smith is the only player who has averaged 100 or more in all three games at this event. Not just that, but the calibre of vanquished opponents - a hugely in-form Boris Krcmar, plus Gary Anderson and Jose de Sousa - makes for impressive reading. The Bully Boy needs to believe in himself, not beat himself up when things aren't going right, and show the steely determination that has got him this far. He really could get that elusive first major tonight.
He takes on a lucky, lucky man in Peter Wright. Of course, Snakebite beat Callan Rydz fair and square, but at the end of a game rife with missed doubles. Then again, a day where you become the third player ever to pass £1,000,000 in career PDC earnings can't ever be a bad one. It could be more than a touch worse if he doesn't sharpen up for this blockbuster of a quarter-final.
Gerwyn Price is closing in on another major final, without even threatening to play at his best. The Welshman still has a touch of his explosive quality, as evidenced by the winning streak at the end of his third round game that accounted for Luke Humphries. He's struggling a bit, but it's hard to notice when he keeps winning - and with a tournament average above 98, too.
Joe Cullen admitted that his confidence was shattered by his dramatic Grand Slam exit. A run deep into the Players Championship Finals would work wonders. He may have been concerned by Ian White battling back from 5-1 down, but held his nerve. He'll feel that he can put Price under pressure, especially on the Iceman's throw, which is normally devoid of comfort for opponents.
Seven Dutchmen won their opening game, but we're down to just two now - and they play each other in the last quarter-final. Dirk van Duijvenbode is beginning to get accustomed to hanging around at the big events. Could another final be in the offing?
Michael van Gerwen is quite the obstacle to get past for everyone's favourite aubergine connoisseur. Mighty Mike claims he's not impressed by himself, or anyone else, which could be mind games or a sign he's not paying much attention. The only player he needs to focus on right now is Van Duijvenbode, who will want to hang around and punish the missed darts at double which seem to be more frequent for MVG right now.
Schedule 2020 Players Championship Finals
Sunday November 29
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
13:00 Damon Heta v Mervyn King
14:00 Peter Wright v Michael Smith
15:00 Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen
16:00 Michael Van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode