UK Open Semi Finals: James Wade vs. Gerwyn Price

The first of the UK Open semi finals tonight sees Wade take on Price. Wade pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Simon Whitlock. He was 8-5 down when Whitlock conspired to let Wade win a leg with 23 darts. The Wizard failed to checkout 25 with three darts and Wade promptly checked out 147 to win the next leg. Wade then won the next three legs with just 41 darts to win the match 10-8. He had played well, averaged 98.3 with 50% on the doubles.

Gerwyn Price averaged 100.7 in his narrow 10-9 win over Devon Petersen who raised his game substantially. Price’s stats were impressive, a big average and 59% on the doubles, but watching the match, it looked like he was struggling for much of it. The stats say otherwise but it just looked like he wasn’t at his best. Certainly his 180 strike rate remained very low. He hit just two and his strike rate for the tournament is just 0.16 per leg.

Can Price Improve His Scoring?

If Price can up his scoring a little than he should be too good for Wade but so far Wade is the player with the higher tournament average at 99.6 compared to 98.4 for Price. Nothing in it but I would expect Price to be the heavier scorer. Wade is hitting the maximum’s at 0.24 per leg, not great, but better than Price.

This is a tricky match to call. Price hasn’t really impressed in all but one match. He just seems a little below par for me. Wade has been steady so far but dodged several bullets to win against Whitlock.

It looks like a toss up, but the bookies have Price as the 1.55 favourite, Wade the 2.60 outsider. There has to be some value on Wade here, but I will be greedy and go for Wade to also have the most 180’s.

UK Open semi finals Tip: 0.5 point James Wade to win and have the most 180’s @ 5.00 with Betfair

Luke Humphries vs. Michael Van Gerwen

Humphries had a nerve testing match with Dave Chisnall which he eventually won 10-9. He could have won it without so much stress, but these big matches are still relatively new to him. He was saying afterwards that he had taken some advice from MVG as to how to cope with these big matches. They share the same management company so there is a bit of a Master and Apprentice thing here. Humphries will have to be able to park his nerves if he is to have any chance here.

MVG overcame an early onslaught by Ratajski but eventually ground him down by doing the right things at the right time. He was able to break an opponent who has yet to beat him. He should be able to do the same here.

The one area where Humphries can compete with MVG is hitting 180’s. Van Gerwen isn’t that bothered about 180’s and likes to use the treble 19 more than most. He has hit 15 from 68 legs so far, Humphries has also played 68 legs but hit 24.

UK Open semi finals Tip: 1 point Luke Humphries to hit the most 180’s @ 1.73 with Betfair

That is it from me and the next big event will be the start of the Premier League at the start of next month.

-JamesPunt