Announcements

CLOCK Face darter Michael Smith will face outsider Nathan Aspinall for a place in the final of William Hill World Championship at London's Alexandra Palace.

In the other semi, world number one Michael van Gerwen will take on fourth seed Gary Anderson in Sunday's semi-finals.

Smith eased past Luke Humphries, winning 5-1 with a top-notch display of arrows and an 103 average.

Smith wrapped up the opening set with a 117 checkout, before taking the second without dropping a leg to double his lead.

Humphries, who ended Rob Cross' reign as World Champion on Friday, fired in a 170 finish on his way to halving the deficit, only for Smith to restore his two-set cushion by taking the fourth set 3-1.

Smith won the deciding leg of set five, and followed it up with two 11-dart legs in the sixth to edge closer to his first World Championship title.

He said: "My dream is another step close to reality now, I'm pleased with my scoring but not my doubles-hitting.

"The way I was two or three years ago that game probably would've turned out differently but I'm a different player now and I put my foot down when I need to.

"I told my son the only time he can come on the stage is if I win this trophy, I've never even touched the trophy myself and I won't do so until I win it."

But Smith is the last of the quartet of Sintelliners in the £2.5 million event after Dave Chisnall suffered a 5-2 knockout against Gary Anderson, who posted a 103.03 average.

A blistering start from the Scotsman saw him take the opening set 3-0 in just 39 darts, before winning the second set 3-1 to double his advantage.

Finishes of 121 and 112 from Chisnall applied the pressure in set three, but Anderson took the deciding leg to go 3-0 up.

A resilient Chisnall came from 2-0 down to take the fourth set, but back-to-back checkouts of 115 and 130 helped Anderson restore his three-set cushion at 4-1.

The deciding leg of set six went the way of Chisnall, but any hopes of a comeback from the St Helens man were put to bed by Anderson who ended the contest with a 171 followed by a 48 finish to make it through to the final four.

"Dave always gives you a tough game so I'm glad to make it through, and the 180s are back which is pleasing," said Anderson.

"My back was still a bit sore, so it was good that I could get the job done in fairly quick time and now I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Sunday's play will open with Smith v Aspinall, followed by Van Gerwen v Anderson.

Schedule: Sunday December 30 (1900, Semi-Finals.

Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson.

Tuesday January 1 (2000), Final.

Van Gerwen/Anderson v Smith/Aspinall.