MICHAEL Smith won through to the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals for a second time, shattering Michael van Gerwen's hopes of a fourth Wolverhampton win with a stunning 16-13 success.

Smith lost out to the Dutchman in 2015 in his previous last four appearance in the Grand Slam, but will now play either Peter Wright, who overcame Fallon Sherrock, for a spot in the final.

The St Helens ace made a sensational start to lead 5-0, and held off Van Gerwen's fightback - which included finishes of 170, 164 and 148 - to continue his bid to win a first televised ranking title.

Smith opened the game with a 180 in a signal of intent, landing four maximums, three 13-darters and a 14-dart leg as he won the first five legs without reply.

Van Gerwen's brilliant 148 combination got him off the mark in leg six, and he also took the next two and took out 164 as he hit back to 6-5.

Smith won a key 12th leg in a dozen darts to prevent Van Gerwen levelling, and gave himself breathing space at 9-6 and 12-7.

Van Gerwen landed a 170 checkout in leg 20 as he won three of the next four to pull back to 13-10 - only to see legs of 13 and 14 darts put Smith on the verge of the semi-finals.

The number three seed finished legs of 11 and 13 darts in a run of three straight legs to keep his hopes alive at 15-13, but Smith was first to a finish in the next as tops wrapped up an impressive display.

"It's a great win but I've got to remember it's only a quarter-final and I'm not in the final yet," said Smith.

"I wasn't the favourite so I could go up and relax. I wanted to keep Michael under pressure, and I think I did that well apart from the last three legs.

"I kept my head down and kept going, and I managed to get there in the end - he missed a couple of doubles and I was there to step in every time.

"I started well but the third session [of five legs] was crucial. I was treating each session like a mini-match instead of the whole game and that paid off."

Smith has previously lost in the World Championship and World Matchplay finals, but is now aiming to finally claim a televised ranking title on Sunday night.

"I'll do the same as I've done every day, and I've got to keep telling myself that it's just another game," he added. "I've got to get on with it and play my own darts.

"I need to keep focused and keep doing what I've been working on, and it might happen!"

Sunday afternoon's opening semi-final will see two-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price taking on three-time finalist James Wade.

The semi-finals will be followed in the evening session by the final, with a £125,000 first prize and the Eric Bristow Trophy on offer for the eventual champion.