Jason Brandon continues underdog story, defeats Neil Duff in Lakeside classic as Deta Hedman reaches seventh semi-final

Jason Brandon survived a comeback and initially missed five match darts before falling over the line in one of the greatest Quarter-Finals ever seen on the Lakeside stage as he toppled former World Champion Neil Duff 4-3 in sets in a sudden death decider at the 2024 WDF World Championship.

Brandon looked well on his way but his nerves told as he let Duff in and the Northern Irishman was buoyed by that as well as some crowd trouble with one particular member of the Lakeside faithful.

He looked in pole position to extend his run and similar to wins over Reece Colley and Barry Copeland use nine lives to escape, but in the end it was the American who continues his incredible story.

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Brandon performed superbly in the opening legs. Duff hit a 156 checkout but Brandon won the opening set in 13 and 15 darts. It started to become a procession as Brandon won five legs on the spin to take the second set 3-0.

The third set was close but Brandon extended his advantage finding double nine in the decider to move 3-0 up.

Down 2-0 in the fourth set, Duff was getting increasingly frustrated as he managed to set up the big shots but was missing crucial doubles allowing Brandon who was missing chances on the outer ring himself to send it to a decider.

Brandon got the chance to win it but busted 70. Duff hit double five last dart in hand for 3-1 in sets. Brandon returned and continued to be frustrated as he missed break darts. Duff himself had break chances and Brandon made it 2-1. Duff sent it to the decider and Brandon had the throw.

Brandon missed 123 on the bull for the match but Duff missed 109. Brandon missed two darts for the win as the nerves got better of him and Duff sealed the set. Brandon broke to begin a pivotal set. But Duff broke back. Again it was sent to a decider as Brandon sent it to 2-2.

Brandon missed 114 for the match and Duff sent it all the way from 3-0 down. Duff pinned 88 to break as he was throwing to go one away from the match. Brandon pinned 48 to stop the rot. But Duff was throwing for the match.

Brandon though it an incredible 148 checkout as he sent it to a decider. He finally fell over the line after a classic hitting double eight.

Deta Hedman will return for the semi-finals after easing past Nicole Regnaud.

Hedman into seventh Lakeside semi-final as Walker stars

While Deta Hedman hasn't performed in recent years at Lakeside but was back on song as she eased past Nicole Regnaud into a seventh semi-final.

Hedman has won everything in the game apart from the World Championship albeit she will likely have to get past Beau Greaves to achieve her dream. She faces Jitka Cisarova next up.

Regnaud looked frustrated throughout as she couldn't find her form that propelled her into being one of the real outside shouts for the title this week. Experience won the day as Hedman prevailed 2-0.

She started off breaking the Regnaud throw twice to win the opening set 3-1. The Kiwi had an opening in the second breaking Hedman's throw but couldn't consolidate and in the end looked resigned to her fate as Hedman sealed the win.

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Jenson Walker started the night. Seen as one of the real talents to watch of the future, he showed that on the big stage.

With an average that wouldn't look out of place in the men's tournament (like most of the boys action), he eased past Mason Teese 2-0 with a 92.56 clocking (101 first nine average) to claim a straight sets win. Living up to his top seed billing, the boys tournament perhaps has the biggest chance of producing the quality over finals weekend.