BRENDAN DOLAN 5-2 JAMES WADE

(1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2)BRENDAN DOLAN created history with the first nine-dart finish in the history of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix as he knocked reigning champion James Wade out of the tournament with a 5-2 semi-final triumph.

The Northern Ireland ace had already produced a personal best by reaching his first major semi-final with his run at the New Citywest Convention Centre before producing the performance of his life.

He came from a set down to level before winning the third set with the historic nine-dart finish, which was the first in the history of the double-start event as he opened the leg with a 160, hit a 180 and then took out 161.

Dolan, 38, moved into a 4-1 lead in sets before Wade hit back to take the sixth, but the former decorator edged the next 3-2 to secure his place in a first televised final.

"It's incredible," said Dolan. "I couldn't have ever dreamed of being in the final when I qualified for this but I've held myself together this week.

"The nine-darter was amazing, the best moment of my career and it's something that even Phil Taylor hasn't achieved yet!"

Dolan will meet either Taylor or Richie Burnett in Sunday's final at the Citywest Hotel, and has pocketed at least £40,000 for reaching the decider, plus a further £5,000 bonus for the nine-darter.

Dolan made a fine start to the game, hitting the bull for a 121 finish in the opening leg only to then see his doubling desert him as Wade responded in great style.

The defending champion levelled the set with a 96 finish and then hit double top in the next two legs to secure the set 3-1.

Dolan punished a slow start to the second set's opener from Wade to hit double four and landed his first 180 of the game in leg two, although Wade finished double 12 to level.

Dolan posted double eight to win the third before creating history to win the set with a perfect leg, opening with a 160 and then hitting a 180 and the 161 finish to bring the Citywest Hotel crowd to its feet.

Wade finished 151 in the next leg to lead in the third set, but Dolan hit double 16 and then broke with a key 105 checkout - with the left-hander waiting on 40 - before hitting double 16 for the set.

Dolan also took the fourth 3-1, defying a maximum from Wade with a 13-darter to take a 3-1 lead in the game.

Wade found another gear to hit double top and a 13-dart finish to lead 2-1 in the fifth set, but Dolan opened the fourth leg with a 160 before finishing 96 in two darts to level, and then took out 69 to win his fourth set and move just one away from victory.

The reigning champion hit back to win the sixth without reply, hitting a pair of 14-darters to twice break Dolan's throw as he cut the deficit to 4-2.

Wade also led 2-1 in the next set, hitting another 180 in a 14-darter, before Dolan levelled in the fourth.

Dolan found his starting double immediately in the deciding leg, with Wade needing six darts to hit tops before clawing his way back into contention with scores of 137 and 140.

Dolan was first to a finish but missed the bull for a 121 checkout and further darts at double eight and four - but Wade was unable to take out 80 in what proved to be his final visit to the oche as the Northern Irishman hit double two for the most memorable victory of his career.

Match Stats

Brendan Dolan	5-2	James Wade
44	100+	36
24	140+	23
3	180	6
29.19	Ave1	28.91
87.58	Ave3	86.73
161,105	High Finish	151
6	Breaks of Throw	4
29/62 - 47%	Starting Doubles	29/78 - 37%
16/55 - 29%	Finishing Doubles	13/28 - 46%