Nathan Aspinall will face Michael van Gerwen in Sunday’s World Grand Prix final after upsetting world primary Gerwyn Price 4-2 in Leicester.
The world quantity 16 has bounced again from a critical wrist damage sustained final 12 months and has been in high-quality type this event, beating Michael Smith, Danny Noppert and Martin Lukeman en route to his maiden World Grand Prix final.
Stockport-born Aspinall was thrilled to attain the showpiece whereas stopping his Welsh opponent from reserving a 3rd straight final look.
He advised Boyle Sports: “Every game [was a roller-coaster]. I think I should have won the game 4-1. It wasn’t to be.
“Nerves took its toll in the end, you know there’s only so many times you can shake into a triple 20, but fair play to [Price], he started poor by his standards but when he needed to he took some amazing shots.
“But irrelevant of how the game went, to be in a final, I’m absolutely on cloud nine.”
Aspinall took an early lead with a 14-darter and a 113 end to win the primary set.
Price responded, nailing 121 on the bullseye to declare the second set however was in hassle by the fourth, lacking two at double 16 and opening up a 3-1 lead for his opponent.
The Welshman bounced again from a 2-1 deficit to declare the fifth set after Aspinall missed a match dart at double 16, and led the sixth after three legs earlier than Aspinall levelled then secured his ticket to the final with a 13-darter.
Van Gerwen, in the meantime, dominated his semi-final match-up with world champion Peter Wright, shedding only one leg within the 4-0 victory.
The Dutchman nailed the bullseye for a 167 checkout within the opening leg and was in full management of the competition from then on.
Wright lastly put a cease to Van Gerwen’s eight-leg profitable streak within the third set of a night that noticed the Scot pin only one most to his opponent’s 4.
His night got here to an in depth with extra irritating misses, Van Gerwen capitalising and pinning tops to seal his journey to the final, although his victory was briefly marred after an surprising stumble into the gang.
“I think I didn’t make too many mistakes, probably the only mistake was when I doubled away at the end of the game to the lady, when I tripped over the stage” he joked.
“The most important thing is I won this one, and from here on you get confidence.
“Another big final for me, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
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