King first through to Masters final with deciding leg thriller win over World Champion Price

Mervyn King is the first player through to the final of The Masters after defeating new World Champion and World Number One, Gerwyn Price in a thrilling 11-10 win.

King was sent all the way to a decider but produced when it mattered hitting the bull of a 127 outshot to edge through and continue his brilliant form.

He will face either Peter Wright or Jonny Clayton in the final and is into his second final in this tournament with his previous effort a famous comeback from James Wade to defeat him.

Price had an excellent start to the first semi-final doubling his advantage with a 104 checkout. King responded by taking out 60 for a 14-darter to halve the deficit before Price produced a clinical 116 checkout to go 3-1 ahead with 3/3 on the doubles.

In fact, neither player had missed a dart at the double heading into the first break as Price led 3-2. When they returned, Price missed six darts at doubles and King returned for double 16 to square it up at 3-3.

Price though returned for back-to-back legs including taking out 110 to go 5-3 ahead. He went into the interval from there maintaining a two-leg cushion at 6-4 but he still had King nipping at his heels with a superb 112 checkout.

A good set up of 134 left 128 for King and he got that down to 48 but missed two darts at double 16 for the break.

Price went for double 12 off 25 but missed two darts and King returned for double 16 to break and restore parity at 6-6.

A 112 checkout made it three legs on the spin for King as he took the lead for the first time at 7-6 up.

Price handed King a golden opportunity to break again but he couldn't take it on either occasion and 'The Iceman' got away with it to make it 7-7.

King wired a 110 to lead again but he wasn't punished as Price missed double 20 meaning he sat at 29% on the doubles at the next interval while the Bradwell ace sat at 8-7 up.

Price returned to go six darts into a nine-darter but concluded it with an 11-darter on double 18. King continued his slim lead though at 9-8 hitting double 16.

It was best of three for a place in the Masters final with Price squaring it up at 9-9.

King hit a 180 and Price replied only which included a trademark roar only for the former to go about his business with a 121 checkout to go 10-9 up and one away.

But Price held to send it all the way in which King would have the throw.

The former hit a 180 but King was down to 127 meaning he was first to get a dart for the match and he pinned it on the bull.

Schedule 2021 Masters

Sunday January 31 (19:00 GMT)
Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price (99.46) 10-11 (97.18) Mervyn King

Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton

Final

Mervyn King v Wright/Clayton

Read more about:
PDC Masters Mervyn King

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