BoyleSports World Grand Prix: Semi-Finals latest

Mike De Decker won through to his maiden TV final in style with a 5-2 win over compatriot Dimitri Van den Bergh in their all-Belgian semi-final.

UK Open champion Van den Bergh raced through the opening set without reply, but had no answer to a three-set blitz as De Decker pulled clear.

The second set went to a deciding leg as De Decker levelled the contest, before he won a further six straight legs – denying Van den Bergh a dart at a double in the game’s fourth set as he opened up a 3-1 cushion.

Van den Bergh opened set five with a sensational 170 finish for a 12-darter, with De Decker responding with two bullseyes to complete a 120 combination before the former Premier League star completed legs of 13 and 14 darts to take the set and halve the deficit.

De Decker, though, fired in a huge 150 checkout in set six, which was sandwiched by a brace of double 16 finishes as he moved 4-2 up and a set away from the final.

Van den Bergh took the seventh set’s opening leg, but missed doubles proved costly as De Decker edged ahead before completing a 13-darter to seal a memorable triumph.

De Decker has dropped just three sets during four games to become the first Belgian to reach the World Grand Prix final, having seen off Damon Heta, Gary Anderson and James Wade during a famous week at the Mattioli Arena.

“I’m over the moon – really, really happy,” said De Decker, who admitted that the all-Belgian contest was a huge test.

“In the beginning of the game I was really nervous. There’s been so much attention on this game and when I took the second set I relaxed, knowing that I can still play.

“Dimitri had a couple of sets where he wasn’t starting off and I took advantage.

“I’m loving the feeling of winning, the crowd have given me so much support and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Luke Humphries will continue his title defence against surprise-package Ryan Joyce in the evening’s second match.

The tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding subscribers based in the UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).

Click here for information on where to watch the 2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix.

2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Saturday October 12
Semi-Finals
Mike De Decker 5-2 Dimitri Van den Bergh (0-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1)
Luke Humphries v Ryan Joyce

Sunday October 13 (2000 BST)
Final
Humphries/Joyce v Mike De Decker

Format
Semi-Finals – Best of nine Sets
Final – Best of 11 Sets
All Sets are the best of five Legs, with all Legs needing to both begin and end with a double.

Photo Gallery

Dimitri Van den Bergh

Dimitri Van den Bergh – BoyleSports World Grand Prix semi-finals (Simon O’Connor, PDC)

Mike Decker

Mike De Decker – BoyleSports World Grand Prix semi-finals (Simon O’Connor, PDC)