James Wade is the first player through to the semi-finals at the 2021 UK Open after seeing off Simon Whitlock 10-8 in a superb fightback from 'The Machine'.
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Wade will have a chance to make it three UK Open titles this evening after coming from 8-5 down reeling off five legs on the spin including a pivotal 147 to claim the tie. This was with a 98.4 average and 50% on the doubles.
Whitlock surged into an early lead over Wade taking out 81 on the bull to break and double his lead.
Wade returned though and claimed back-to-back legs to square it up at 2-2.
He led though at the break suddenly with a second 180 and a 85 checkout for an 11-darter to move 3-2 ahead.
Whitlock returned for parity taking out 76 to make it 3-3 and he made it four consecutive legs from there to make it 6-3.
Wade stopped the rot going into the break at 6-4 down but the impetus was on Whitlock.
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'The Machine' returned from the break and pinned a 128 checkout for a 12-darter to trail 6-5 but Whitlock returned with a 68 checkout to regain the two leg cushion at 7-5.
Whitlock returned for a 124 checkout on the bull to go 8-5 up and hold to continue his superb spell. Wade missed multiple chances to hold but was spared as Whitlock couldn't punish and it became 8-6.
'The Wizard' missed the bull for a 170 checkout but busted 25 on double 16. This proved vital as Wade pinned 147 in typical fashion to break and make it 8-7.
Wade made it three legs on the spin at 8-8 to continue his progression back into the tie.
He began with a 180 on Whitlock's throw and pinned 82 on the bull to go one away himself in which he had the throw.
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He set up 40 with Whitlock back on 246 and pinned the target first time around to move through.
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