It is a fourth major semi-final for
Luke Humphries who goes into Saturday at the
World Matchplay as the favourite to lift a maiden major title in Blackpool.
Humphries extinguished 'The Heat' seeing off Damon Heta and ending the charge of the Aussie in an Ashes affair on the Winter Gardens stage.
He survived a comeback in the end to claim it 16-13 in a match that extraordinarily featured 20 breaks of throw but it is 'Cool Hand Luke' who is through to face Jonny Clayton tomorrow.
The other semi-final sees Nathan Aspinall take on Joe Cullen. Only Humphries has never won a major title.
Humphries edged into a 3-2 lead earlier on averaging 102. But Heta restored parity at 4-4 with a 103 checkout.
Humphries edged ahead again with a 100 checkout but back and forth it went with no player unable to hold their throw.
Humphries though went three legs in front at 9-6 and kept a two leg cushion at least going to 10-8 with an astonishing 15 breaks in 18 legs.
A rare hold of throw though opened the floodgates for Humphries though who hit an 81 checkout for an 11-darter for 12-8.
He followed it up with a 121 checkout to make it 13-8. He soon went one away at 15-9 but with Humphries, he found it difficult to close out the game immediately.
Heta applied The Heat making it back to 15-12 and this continued with a sublime 152 checkout for 15-13 and he was throwing to go one from parity if he held throw.
Heta missed two to do so from 57 and Humphries got a shot at 92. He went double double on double 18 to seal it.
Where can I watch the World Matchplay on TV?
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.
How much prize money can be earned at the World Matchplay
After the World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay is the ranking tournament with the largest prize pool at the PDC. A total of 800,000 pounds of prize money is up for grabs at this event.
All 32 participants are guaranteed £10,000 in prize money. This could eventually add up to a check of as much as £200,000 for the darter who gets to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday, July 23.
