Price reaches second consecutive World Championship semi-final after sudden death thriller win over Gurney

Gerwyn Price is into the semi-finals of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship and will face Stephen Bunting after seeing off Daryl Gurney in a sudden death thriller.

It was a 5-4 victory for 'The Iceman' which featured nine 180's and three ton plus checkouts including a high of 143 as he shook off a resurgent 'Superchin'.

It could have been a lot more comprehensive for the World Number Three who went 4-2 up but suffered doubling issues with 37% in the end.

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Gurney missed a 124 to break in the opening leg and Price pinned a 64 checkout to hold. He broke from there letting out a trademark roar with a 108 checkout but fluffed his lines in going for a clean sweep and Gurney broke back.

He was given another shot though and despite missing his fifth dart at the set, Gurney couldn’t get a shot at the 94 and Price pinned double six to claim the opener.

Price claimed a 16-dart break of throw to hit the front in the second set. A 72 checkout saw him double his lead. He pinned double 10 from there to sweep the set and continue his brilliance into a 2-0 sets lead.

A 73 checkout though saw Gurney go 1-0 up with a break of throw. A 180 from Price threatened to claim a break back but Gurney hit straight back with one of his own but he missed three darts to consolidate the break.

Price though missed two darts himself to break back and Gurney was back for double four and a 2-0 lead. A 72 checkout took down the deficit for Price. Once more they both exchanged 180’s as Price looked for a break back that would force a decider.

But Gurney took away the chance with a 75 checkout on double 12 to claim a set back. A 125 checkout was missed by Price on double 20 and Gurney’s revival continued on double four.

Double 20 saw Price level it up and despite only being a hold of throw, it stopped the rot. Gurney opened up once more with a 180 and he went 2-1 up with a 25 checkout as he looked to level up with Price.

Price missed the second double 20 for a 100 checkout but Gurney missed bull for a 124 checkout. ‘The Iceman’ missed three at double 10 making it 1/8 on that target and it cost him the set with a 25 checkout as Gurney made it 2-2.

It was another fantastic leg for Gurney as ‘Superchin’ had a chance at 58 to go ahead for the first time but he was punished after missing two darts for a break and the lead.

Price missed double 12 for a 98 checkout but was given another visit at least. He missed three at double six and was punished himself with a hold for Gurney in the form of a 100 checkout. Gurney missed bull for a 170 but Price missed double 20 for a 77 checkout.

Gurney returned from there but missed two at double eight and again Price capitalised on double five last dart in hand as he looked to the heavens with his arms aloft.

The Northern Irishman missed two to make it 2-2 but Price wasn’t there to punish initially meaning five darts at doubles went begging and Price smashed in a 143 checkout to claim the set.

Both struck maximums on their return but Gurney missed a dart at a 70 checkout and Price broke through with a 59 checkout on double 20.

Price seemingly hit another 180 at the right time but missed darts to hold and Gurney broke with a 76 checkout.

He missed a potentially shot at 100 again and Gurney was back for double 10 to go 2-1 up. An 84 checkout on double 20 saw it go 2-2.

Gurney missed double 20 for a 116 checkout and Price corrected himself to hit a 72 checkout on double 10 to go 4-2 up.

Price couldn’t convert a 66 on double 20 and Gurney broke to begin the seventh set. He doubled his lead from there as he headed towards another set.

The former was poor in this set and Gurney rattled through without reply to go 4-3 behind. Price returned with a 180 on Gurney’s throw and wired double 12 for a break.

He missed four darts to break and Gurney cashed in with a 70 checkout to hold. A 64 checkout saw Gurney break as he went one away from levelling the tie up.

Nine darts were thrown and Gurney pinned 41 for the set and the sixth leg in a row. A 107 checkout arrested the slide for Price as he went 1-0 up.

A 130 checkout from Gurney saw him hold and with Price hitting 38, the door was ajar. But he couldn’t punish. Price missed another lot of darts but Gurney was behind and ‘The Iceman’ finally pinned double 10.

Price didn’t get a shot at 164 but Gurney missed bull for an 86. Price drifted into treble three on 107 and Gurney was given another opportunity and Gurney sent it all the way.

Gurney had the first chance at a 108 but Price left 40 and he was back for it which he pinned.