'I don’t think anybody can beat me' - Nathan Aspinall secures World Matchplay semi-final spot
- Planet Sport writer
- 21 July 2023
Nathan Aspinall insists he can go all the way at the World Matchplay after booking his spot in the semi-final.
Nathan Aspinall will take on Joe Cullen in Saturday's Betfred World Matchplay semi-final after beating Chris Dobey in an enthralling clash at the Winter Gardens.
Aspinall produced the performance of the night to defeat Dobey 16-12, producing a sensational mid-game burst to move through to his first semi-final at the Empress Ballroom.
The Stockport star signalled his intent with a 128 checkout in leg four, although Dobey was the dominant force in the early exchanges, moving 6-3 ahead with eye-catching 140 and 100 finishes.
However, Aspinall continued his relentless assault on the treble 20 to seize control, winning seven of the next eight legs to establish a commanding 12-8 cushion.
The 32-year-old landed a crucial double-double 92 finish in leg 18, and he continued his charge by following up a 12-dart hold with a clinical 116 checkout to move two legs away from victory at 14-8.
Dobey displayed darting defiance of his own, firing in a brace of 11-darters and winning four of the next five legs to preserve his slender hopes, surviving two match darts during that spell.
Nevertheless, Aspinall regained his poise to seal his progress, pinning double eight to triumph with a 99 average and ten maximums.
"We threw everything at each other tonight. I think it was a fantastic game of darts," said Aspinall, who had succumbed to Michael van Gerwen at the quarter-final stage in each of the last two years.
"It was always going to be a tough match tonight against my best pal. I love Chris to bits, but we have to go up there and be professional, and I think it was a fantastic advert for the sport.
"I'm in a good place. I feel so confident. I'm so happy with the way I'm playing, the way I'm finishing.
"I don't think anybody can beat me, and I've not felt like that for a long, long time."
Photo Credit: Taylor Lanning/PDC
