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Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen reach World Matchplay final

Phil Taylor will play Michael van Gerwen in the World Matchplay final after both came through close last-four encounters on Saturday night.

Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have progressed through to the World Matchplay final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The top two players in the world were fancied to make Sunday's showdown in the North-West, but they had to work hard to come through their semi-final fixtures.

Taylor took five of the opening seven legs against Gary Anderson before the Scot fought back to level the match at 10-10.

The defending Matchplay champion took four of the next five legs to seize control, but four missed darts for the match handed Anderson a reprieve as he reduced the score to 16-15.

However, Taylor responded with a superb final leg, hitting three scores of 140 before checking out 81 in two darts to edge out the former Premier League champion.

In the other semi-final, Van Gerwen was forced to withstand an onslaught from Simon Whitlock before finishing the stronger of the two to claim a 17-13 win.

Whitlock led 7-5 at one stage and dug deep to ensure that he remained in the match at 13-13, but Van Gerwen took the final four legs to reach his first Matchplay final.

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Phil Taylor of Britain reacts as he takes part in the PDC World Championship darts final against Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands on January 1, 2013
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