James Wade reached the final of the World Matchplay for the first time in ten years on Saturday. The Englishman was too strong for Jonny Clayton in a thriller with a score of 20-18.
At a score of 16-12, the 42-year-old Wade needed just one more leg to secure a spot in the final. But Clayton, eight years his senior, fought back to 16-16 and forced an extension.
In the extension, the darter who was the first to take a two-leg lead won. Wade started the extension great with a finish of 161, but Clayton did not give up. The battle was tied until 18-18. Then Wade came ahead again and finished the match with double-9.
Wade will face reigning world champion Luke Littler or Josh Rock in the final on Sunday, who eliminated Michael van Gerwen (13-11) in the second round. They will meet on Saturday evening in the second semi-final.
It is the seventh time that Wade has been in the final of the World Matchplay. The previous time was in 2015, when he lost to Van Gerwen. He only won the ‘summer-WK’ in 2007.
Wade was responsible for the elimination of Gian van Veen (16-13) in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Van Veen was the last remaining Dutchman in the tournament.