By Gareth James
Gerwyn Price will bid to become the first Welshman to win the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship on Sunday.
The Markham marksman came from 3-1 and 4-3 down in sets to beat Stephen Bunting 6-4 at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Price triumphed in a phenomenal semi-final which saw a record 13 100+ checkouts as both players battled it out.
Now Price also has the chance to take over as world No 1 if he wins the final and collects the £500,000 winner’s cheque.
“That’s the best I’ve played in this tournament and I needed to,” said Price, who will face two-time champ Gary Anderson in the final.
“I’m here to win this and I’m in the final so I’ve got every chance now.
“Stephen played really well and he punished me whenever I slipped up.
“There were a couple of sets where I was 2-0 up and he came back. He gave me a really good battle.
“I’m full of confidence after that game. I definitely improved for this match but there is a lot more in the tank.
“I always seem to find that bit of extra edge when I need to and I know I have got what it takes to win the final.”
Price could not have asked for a better start as he took a tight first set on the deciding leg.
And after breaking Bunting he went two legs up in the second, helped by a 140 checkout.
But after he had chances to double his lead in sets, Bunting responded to take the set.
The 35-year-old from St Helen’s was producing some inspired darts – especially on his doubles – as he quickly moved into a three sets to one lead.
Price was the highest seed left in the tournament after the exits of world No 1 Michael van Gerwen and defending champ Peter Wright.
It could have got worse at the start of the fifth set as his opponent finally missed with his doubles allowing Price to hold his throw twice to lead 2-1.
The set proved tight, but Price – who has already had two final leg deciders in the tournament – took it to reduce his deficit to just one set.
The Iceman let out his trademark roar as a D10 proved decisive.
Price, who already has the World Cup of Darts in his cabinet after the victory with Jonny Clayton, broke Bunting at the start of the sixth and then produced a 100 checkout to make it three sets apiece.
He did it with his seventh successful throw at D10 out of seven attempts.
Another couple of D10 finishes took him 2-0 ahead in the seventh – having won eight out of 10 legs – until Bunting finally stopped the rot against the arrows with a magnificent 148 checkout.
Price then had two set darts, but paid the penalty as Bunting produced a 118 finish to snatch the set and regain the lead at 4-3 after breaking Price’s throw again.
Tense! Come on @Gezzyprice 🎯
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) January 2, 2021
But Price responded with a 12-dart leg while another D10 out sees him level the best of 11 sets match at 4-4. He averaged 113.08 in that leg.
Price then took the lead in the match for the first time since the opening set as he moved within one set of the final as he whitewashes Bunting, inevitably sealing it with another D10.
On the way Price and Bunting took the number of 100+ finishes to 12 – a record for a World Championships match.
Price added another with a 103 checkout to level at 1-1 in the 10th set having missed a chance on Bunting’s arrows.
And even though Price finally missed at D10, Bunting was unable to take advantage leaving Wales’ darts ace throwing for his place in the final.
Price made no mistake as he saw out the match and on Sunday will bid to become the first Welshman to win the PDC World Darts Championship.