Wade eases through to European Championship semi-finals with victory over O’Connor

James Wade is the first player through to the European Championship semi-finals after a clinical 10-4 win over William O’Connor.

Wade who is the only player left in to have won the title previously hit a 98.7 average and 62.5% on the doubles to book his spot.

Wade took an advantage early on with a break of throw to go 2-0 up with an 87 checkout.

He made it 3-0 before O’Connor got off the mark it 3-1 with a 75 checkout but this didn’t stop Wade heading into the break at 4-1 up with a 101 average and 4/5 on the doubles.

He returned from the interval going 6-2 up with yet another break of throw and he added to that with an 82 checkout to leave O’Connor for dust.

O’Connor stopped the rot at 7-3 down but still had a lot of work to do heading into the latter stage of the tie.

He staged in it further at 8-4 down with a brilliant 96 checkout but this proved little consolation as Wade went towards the finishing line and claimed the semi-final spot.

European Championship 2020 schedule

Quarter-finals

William O'Connor (91.65) 4-10 (98.69) James Wade

Jonny Clayton v Dirk van Duijvenbode

Peter Wright v Steve West

Devon Petersen v Ian White