Wright battles back to deny Rydz in tie-break epic and reach World Darts Championship semi-final

It will be an all-Scottish affair in the first semi-final at the PDC World Darts Championship after Peter Wright survived against Callan Rydz in a tie-break epic 5-4.

Wright silenced the crowd and battled back from 3-1 and 4-3 down to see off one of the stars of the tournament who was denied his first TV semi-final after an incredible display.

Rydz stormed through the opening set with an incredible 110 average featuring a 152 and 94 checkout and 3/3 on the doubles as he sent out a statement to Wright.

He continued doing so by producing a 106 checkout to break in set two and after having his throw broke, he hit back with the same checkout again to go one away from a two sets lead.

Wright showed some fight hitting double 20 to break again and he was throwing for the set. But Rydz produced a 105 to break and claim the set as he was sat on 6/7 on the doubles.

Rydz drifted into treble four off a 128 as he didn’t get a shot and Wright did the same hitting double five going for double 20 but hit double 15 to break.

Wright got four darts to consolidate but Rydz missed two at double 10 from 80 to break back. It was another set of darts from Wright that went begging and Rydz hit double five to break back.

Both exchanged 180’s but it was Wright who produced a 112 checkout to break throw and he was throwing again for the set.

Rydz produced a 177 but it was an otherwise poor leg. He missed the bull for a 161 and Wright halved the deficit on double 16 to make it 2-1 in sets.

Wright took the opener but Rydz levelled up on double 16. A 97 checkout saw Rydz break after hitting a timely 180 and he went one away from a 3-1 sets lead.

The set was complete for Rydz on double two as he went off for a break with the former World Champion in trouble.

Rydz hit another 180 but Wright produced a showstopping 140 as he raised his eyebrows with two double 20’s. A break was his and he consolidated with a 91 checkout as he aimed to claw his way back into the tie.

Wright couldn’t get a shot at 93 to break again and Rydz replied with 71 on double 20 to hold with the former throwing for the set.

But with his potential survival up for grabs, Wright delivered with an 84 checkout for an 11-darter to remain on the coattails of the Bedlington ace.

Rydz made it 17 180’s in the match and followed it up with a 140 to be towards a finish on his own throw. He hit 88 on double seven to level up at 1-1.

But Wright missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish as he nearly joined Borland and Labanauskas. He left double six and Rydz left 132 in case he missed but no drama as Wright went 2-1 up.

Rydz showed Wright how to finish the 141 and he held throw to take it to a decider. He hit 138 to leave 72 with Wright not on a finish on his own throw.

He got down to 96 and Rydz missed 72 which allowed Wright back for the set with a ridiculous finish using double 18, double 20 and it was 3-3.

Wright hit a 180 to leave 96 on the Rydz throw and he took the lead on double 18 for the first time in the match.

Rydz drifted into treble one on 112 but returned after Wright spurned 56 and ‘The Riot’ broke to break back for 1-1. He hit his eighth 180 and produced a 149 to leave 32 for a 10-darter which he pinned to make it a 12-darter and a 2-1 lead to go 4-3 up.

Rydz hit a ninth 180 and hit a 134 to leave 130 on the Wright throw. The latter pressured with 136 to leave 40 but Rydz missed 130 on double five for the set.

Wright returned and busted double 20 but Rydz spurned a shot at 10 for the set but double trouble saw ‘Snakebite’ spurn it again and Rydz looked to the heavens as he went one set away.

Wright came back though and produced an 11-dart break and he was throwing for a deciding set which he claimed without reply.

Rydz produced a great response but wilted on the finishing and handed Wright a break on double 14. He went one away with a 78 checkout on the bull to dampen Rydz’s spirits.

He saved his match though with an 80 checkout hold but needed to break to send it to a tie-break. He produced a 180 as he took the game to Wright and he pinned 133 to leave 54 to take it all the way which he did on double two.

After all that hard work though, he produced a poor start and had to hope Wright didn’t pin 107 which he couldn’t on double 18. Rydz returned for 94 and missed double 16 for the hold and to go one away.

This allowed Wright back and to a wall of boos, he pinned double nine last dart in hand and ‘Snakebite’ was now one away.

Rydz had no reply from there as Wright eased to the win on double 20 to survive a real scare from the Riot.