Aspinall reaches second consecutive PDC World Championship semi-final after nervy tie against Van den Bergh

Aspinall came into this tournament with the pressure on his shoulders but has dealt with it well and has another chance to reach the final.

Despite that it wasn't plain sailing, he was 4-1 up but started to buckle towards the end with Van den Bergh reducing arrears to 4-3; but despite that the Stockport ace held his nerve to claim victory.

Van den Bergh was in punishing form to begin their Quarter-Final tie; with the Belgian hitting a brilliant 90 checkout on the bull to double his lead after Aspinall bust 128; he missed a 68 checkout to break which meant that Van den Bergh claimed the first set 3-0.

Aspinall though came back brilliantly to claim the second set 3-1; averaging 108 in the set with both players playing their part with nine 180s between them.

With Aspinall well back on 146. Van den Bergh had multiple shots to hold throw; he reeled in the double four to do so. Aspinall though replied with with a 122 to level it up; he followed it up with double eight to break and hit the front.

He had won six of the last eight legs; as he sealed the third set to move 2-1 in front and he came from the brink to go 3-1 up in sets in the next set; after Van den Bergh had initially double his lead with an 85 checkout and looked like he was going to claim it.

Despite that missed darts in the back end of the leg blighted his progress; Aspinall claimed it with a real outpouring of emotion.

Van den Bergh edged through the first leg with a 72 checkout as Aspinall was back on a potential 122 outshot but he had a shot to break next leg with a 76 checkout; Aspinall punished on double six to hold.

Van den Bergh went one away from going only one set behind; as he pinned double four to hold his throw. In seemingly a closed target, Aspinall pinned double eight after blocking his path to send it into a decider.

Aspinall when going for a 54 checkout missed darts at double 13; but split it next time on double eight pinning it and bouncing around the stage once more.

It was another closely ran leg with neither player assured; but Aspinall pinned double 20 to go 1-0 up and two legs away.

With Aspinall on 62, Van den Bergh produced double nine to make it 1-1. The former hit a 140 to put the pressure on Van den Bergh; this told as second time around, Aspinall pinned double eight to hold.

Van den Bergh continued to miss but left 25 and hit it to hold but a poor leg from Aspinall saw Van den Bergh take advantage to claim the set.

Aspinall began to fight but Van den Bergh was matching that; as he levelled it up with a break of throw with a 79 checkout.

Aspinall would have thought he had Van den Bergh when he hit a 180 but he had to go for a 124 checkout after the Belgian did the same. The latter was left on 80 and he pinned it to go one away from 3-4 down.

Aspinall missed 144 and again Van den Bergh had a mid range finish; which he pinned to go one set behind. Van den Bergh hit a 12th 180 and a 12 darter to lead in the next set; but despite him then going 2-0 up, Aspinall drew it level with a break of throw on double 16; he had the throw again to win and he converted to do so.

Click here for more information on the PDC World Darts Championship, which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.

Nathan Aspinall (95.31) 5-3 (91.12) Dimitri van den Bergh

14:45 Peter Wright vs Luke Humphries

https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1211294755633684480?s=20