World number one Luke Humphries will face three-time winner Michael van Gerwen in his first World Matchplay final.
Humphries beat James Wade 17-10 to book his spot in Sunday’s showpiece at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, while Van Gerwen overcame Michael Smith 17-13 in their semi-final.
Englishman Humphries was far from his fluent best in the opening exchanges against Wade and the score was level at 5-5 after the first two sessions.
Wade moved in front upon their return to the oche but the world champion claimed an 8-7 lead before winning the next four legs to break his compatriot’s resolve.
Humphries took out an impressive 156 to lead 15-9 before reaching his first final.
“I don’t know how I won 17-10,” Humphries told Sky Sports.
“It was a fantastic game and James was fantastic and against another player he probably would have won. I was just deadly in that mid-part.”
Van Gerwen’s pursuit of a fourth title remains alive after a victory in which momentum changed hands several times.
Smith produced a couple of comebacks to reduce the deficit but the key moment came in the 25th leg with the score at 12-12.
England’s Smith missed double top to break Van Gerwen’s throw and take the lead, before the Dutchman produced a stunning 136 checkout to hold.
Smith lost his rhythm in the next three games and managed to hold throw in the 29th before Van Gerwen closed out victory in the following leg.
“I have to make sure my doubles are better in the final but my scoring made up for it,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.
“I know what I’m capable of and my scoring power is better than Luke so I need to make sure my rhythm carries on tomorrow.”
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