Smith into last-four as Van den Bergh makes history

Two-time World Championship runner-up Michael Smith survived a stiff test against Stephen Bunting to progress to the last-four at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Smith, who lost the 2022 final to Peter Wright, raced into a 4-1 lead against Bunting before losing the next two sets to leave open the possibility of a deciding set.

The fourth seed trailed his opponent in the scoring averages, with 91.63 compared to Bunting's 97.16 but the latter's struggles on the doubles let Smith off the hook.

In the final leg, Bunting missed two darts at double 16 to allow Smith in, nailing the double 10 to secure a 3-1 win in the set and a 5-3 victory overall.

Earlier on, Dimitiri Van den Bergh made history by becoming the first Belgian to reach the semi-finals, defeating third seed Jonny Clayton 5-3 in an upset win.

The first six sets went with the throw, with the match deadlocked at 3-3 until Van den Bergh won the critical seventh set to leave him one from victory.

In a tense eighth set, he made no mistake, the set going to a fifth leg before the Belgian took out double nine to seal his spot in the semis.

In the evening session, No. 1 seed and 2021 champion Gerwyn Price faces Gabriel Clemens, while three-time winner Michael Van Gerwen plays Chris Dobey.