Aspinall beams after win against Dobey: "I'm sick of runners up trophies"

Nathan Aspinall is through to the semi-finals of the World Matchplay for the first time in his career. 'The Asp' defeated Chris Dobey 16-12 in the quarter-finals.

Aspinall averaged just under a ton in his quarter-final victory, benefitting from a mid-match surge that saw him win seven straight legs. "I'm absolutely over the moon," he says. "He's one of my best mates and he's been great with my kids. But we're both professionals with a job to do and we've gone up there and had a fantastic game."

Aspinall looked like being a comfortable winner when he was 14-9 ahead, but Dobey started to fight back and the former UK Open champion admits that there was a moment where he felt a first Matchplay semi-final place may have been slipping away. "I'm not gonna lie I did feel the pressure," Aspinall admits. "I never feel the pressure but I did today I really did."

Nevertheless, Aspinall prevailed and is already looking ahead to the semi-final against Joe Cullen. "I'll say it here and now, I'll make the final and I'll win it," says a defiant 'Asp'. "I'm not going to lose another one, I'm sick of runners up trophies."

The tournament will be broadcast in full on Sky Sports going between Action and Main Event.

From Saturday, July 15 through Wednesday, July 20, broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. ET. In addition, on Sunday, July 16, there will be an afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. After the second round, the starting time of the evening sessions moves up one hour.

On Sunday afternoon, July 24, the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies will compete for the title at the most important women's tournament in the PDC.