<a href="/darts" class="sdc-site-localnav__header-title" data-role="nav-header" aria-controls="sdc-site-localnav-body" aria-expanded="false"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 34 34" class="sdc-site-localnav__icon"> <path d="M6.02 12.67c.01.194.087.362.247.525l.188.192L16.52 23.45c.188.19.44.294.706.294s.518-.104.707-.293l10.135-10.134.123-.126c.162-.163.24-.332.248-.53.006-.173-.155-.438-.442-.725-.187-.187-.386-.368-.59-.537-.05-.04-.096-.078-.138-.11l-.496.495-9.193 9.193-.355.354-.354-.354-9.197-9.198-.484-.484c-.043.033-.09.07-.14.112-.204.168-.402.348-.59.536-.285.288-.446.553-.44.727z" /> </svg>Darts </a> <br>Michael van Gerwen had to battle hard against Callan Rydz; Chris Dobey beat Gerwyn Price to reach semis for the first time; <strong>watch the last two quarter-finals, including Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts, with the semi-finals on Thursday at 7.30pm</strong><br>By Nigel Chiu at Alexandra Palace <br>Wednesday 1 January 2025 16:41, UK<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in a high-quality quarter-final at the World Darts Championship to set up a last-four clash with Chris Dobey.<br>Van Gerwen, who has now reached the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace nine times, produced his best performance of the tournament so far, and needed to as both players averaged over 100.<br>The Dutchman is looking to win a fourth world title and will face Dobey, who defeated Gerwyn Price 5-3 in the first match of the afternoon.<br>"He gave me everything. He didn't stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up I thought I broke him but he never gave up," Van Gerwen told<em> Sky Sports</em>.<br>"I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and I'm really happy with my performance. My game is in a good place. We are only in the semis so it doesn't mean anything yet.<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>"The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy. He kept me constantly under pressure It's one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I'm over the moon.<br>"I've had a tough year and have been battling everywhere. I'm still here and believe in my own ability. This means a lot to me."<br> World Darts Championship: Full Results and Schedule <br> Stream Sky Sports on NOW <br> Follow live updates and video from World Darts Championship <br> Download the Sky Sports App <br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>The opening two sets were shared as Rydz knocked in back-to-back 12-darters to make it 1-1.<br>Van Gerwen edged a tight third set before Rydz came back, only to miss a set dart to go 3-2 ahead.<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>Instead, Van Gerwen, who had two serious attempts at a nine-darter but failed to execute, moved a set clear again and raced into a 4-2 lead.<br>Rydz won a thrilling seventh set with a tops-tops finish but 'The Riot' missed two set darts to send the match into a decider as Van Gerwen produced a final moment of quality to get through.<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>Dobey reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for the first time, coming from two sets down to beat Price 5-3.<br>Just like his previous two matches, Price made a fast start before beginning to miss key doubles and was punished by Dobey, who averaged 113 in the third set as he started his comeback.<br>Price missed a set dart in the fourth as Dobey levelled the match before winning the next two sets.<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>The Welshman, who continued to rue several missed doubles, was booed by the crowd at the start of the seventh set after he reacted with a wild celebration.<br>It seemed to spur Price on as he capitalised on five missed match darts from Dobey to pull a set back before dancing on the Alexandra Palace stage.<br>But Dobey, who was competing in his third successive quarter-final, kept his nerve and dominated the last set, winning with a spectacular 20-D18-D18 checkout.<br>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<br><br>"Getting over that defeat [to Rob Cross] last year and getting over the line this year means so much," Dobey told <em>Sky Sports</em>.<br>"I've never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today. I was thinking about last year and kept thinking, 'keep going, you will get another chance'. Luckily I found a way over the line. I'm overwhelmed.<br>"He [Price] didn't give it as much as I thought he would. That might have helped me.<br>"I'm buzzing to get that win. I probably wouldn't have done it without this crowd."<br>The final two quarter-finals begin at 7pm later on Wednesday, with Peter Wright taking on Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler facing Nathan Aspinall.<br><strong><em>Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until Friday, January 3 on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel. <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">Stream darts and more top sport with NOW</a></em></strong><br> <a href="/" class="svg-logo site-footer__site-logo"> <img class="svg-logo__image" alt="Sky Sports" src="https://e0.365dm.com/tvlogos/channels/Sky-Sports-Logo.svg" onerror="this.onerror=null;this.src='https://e0.365dm.com/tvlogos/channels/Sky-Sports-Logo.png'"> </a> © 2025 Sky UK <br><br><a href="https://news.google.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?oc=5">source</a>
