PDC World Grand Prix 2019 semi-finals preview and schedule: Friday 11 October

We're at that point in the World Grand Prix where glory is firmly on the horizon.

32 players came to Dublin with a major title in their sights. Now Michael van Gerwen is the last former champion still in the mix. He'll look to defend his title, while Glen Durrant, Dave Chisnall and Chris Dobey all scrap to become just the eighth World Grand Prix champion in history. Friday's semi-finals - which are best of seven sets - will be even more brilliant and tense than the quarters.

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Glen Durrant made his switch to the PDC nine months ago. Since then, he's appeared in three majors. The UK Open didn't quite go to plan. He's made the semi-finals in the other two. And he could easily be a major champion by Saturday night. Can you hear those clicking noises? I think that's critics hastily deleting tweets and forum posts claiming that Duzza "won't cut it in the PDC".

What makes it more impressive is that Durrant has barely shown a hint of his best stuff. He'll need it against Dave Chisnall. This really does feel like Chizzy's time. The four-time major runner-up and serial semi or quarter-finalist has always been the bridesmaid, and never the bride. But the St Helens man is clearly confident, and has negotiated different challenges - from edging past a stubborn Gerwyn Price, to professionally disposing of a misfiring Stephen Bunting, to outstanding set play against the dangerous Nathan Aspinall. If he can beat Durrant here, support for the world number 12 would be near-universal.

Can Dobey do it?

Michael van Gerwen has appeared in the semi-finals of 39 ranked TV events while in the PDC. Chris Dobey has appeared in none. It's a David versus Goliath clash, but more akin to David having a more potent weapon than a slingshot.

Because Chris Dobey is no "surprise package". The Bedlington star's quality is an open secret, as is his stoic mentality. He has refused to bow to the pressure in Dublin, and in Ricky Evans, Gary Anderson and Ian White, Hollywood has seen off some top talent. It's testament to how well he has settled into the format that his doubling in has been far superior to his semi-final peers. Bringing his scoring up would make him an almighty threat.

Given that Dobey has got stronger as he's gone on in his games so far (averaging 102 across his last two sets with Ian White, for example), the lengthened format might even suit him. But you do feel that Michael van Gerwen is suited to any long match. A slip in concentration won't be fatal, as it has been in other majors.

To his credit, Mighty Mike has barely slipped at all. Sure, there have been moments of doubt. He almost tanked out in round one, after all. But overall, the defending champion has shown class, and there have been some moments of magic which have lacked in recent stage appearances. This is the major performance that van Gerwen needed going into the busy back end of the season. But the Dutchman only deals in trophies. A run ending at the semi-final stage wouldn't be something he could look back on fondly. You feel it's a different story for Dobey.

Click here for more information about this tournament, including the rather tasty top prize that one of these four will collect tomorrow night.

PDC World Grand Prix 2019 schedule

Semi-Finals

19:15 - Glen Durrant vs Dave Chisnall

20:45 - Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey