RICHIE BURNETT 4-1 MARK HYLTON

(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
RICHIE BURNETT reached his first major semi-final for a decade at the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 4-1 defeat of Mark Hylton.

The Welshman, a former Lakeside Champion, last reached the last four of a televised event in 2001 but confirmed his return to the sport's elite with another fine display.

Burnett followed up his defeats of number four seed Gary Anderson and Denis Ovens with a clinical performance, hitting two 11-darters as he set up a semi-final with Phil Taylor at the New Citywest Convention Centre on Friday night.

Hylton, who had overcome Mark Walsh and Simon Whitlock to reach only his second major quarter-final, made an electric start to their contest by taking the opening two legs, including a 121 finish on the bull, to lead 2-0.

But Burnett stepped in to take the third before levelling in the next with a break of throw, before landing tops to secure the opening set.

He also took out a 107 finish to lead in the second, only for Hylton to win the next two on double ten and double two.

Burnett posted a fine 11-darter to level, but Hylton took the set 3-2 by hitting double ten once more.

Hylton set up double eight in the third set's opener as he looked to continue the momentum, but was stopped in his tracks by a brilliant 122 bullseye finish from Burnett.

The left-hander finished 64 to level in the second, but Burnett's accuracy on tops gave him the third before he punished three misses from Hylton to win the set on double 16.

Any hopes Hylton had of a comeback took a huge blow in the fourth set's opening two legs as he missed the bullseye for a 121 finish twice, with Burnett checking out double four and a 74 kill to move 2-0 up.

The Welsh ace then opened the third with scores of 160 and 140 to pull clear, and nailed double four to take the set and a 3-1 lead in the game.

Finishes of double top and double 16 saw Burnett move 2-0 up in the next and although Hylton took out his second 12-darter of the game to stay in the contest, Burnett bettered that with another 11-dart leg to wrap up his semi-final spot.

"I'm having a great time and playing good darts," said Burnett. "This has been coming for the last year and I just had to get that one step over the line and people have a different attitude towards playing you.

"I'm quite content with the way I'm playing and I'm showing that I've still got what it takes. When I'm getting chances I'm taking them and I can relax and go for it in the semis now.

"I've been hitting the important shots and I've got to concentrate like that in every leg from now on.

"I've got Phil Taylor on Saturday but that won't matter. I don't play the player and more, I play against the board and the scores that I see on the other side of it.

"It's difficult to do, but when you can do it then it takes a bit of pressure off. It's hard because you can sense the presence of the other player, but it can be done and I know I can beat anybody.

"I'm happy to be playing again at this level, I've got a few bucks in the bank now to take the pressure off and I'll enjoy playing against Phil."

Match Stats

Mark Hylton	1-4	Richie Burnett
30	100+	24
12	140+	16
3	180	4
28.57	Ave1	28.66
85.70	Ave3	85.98
121	High Finish	122,107
3	Breaks of Throw	7
21/45 - 47%	Starting Doubles	21/56 - 38%
7/38 - 18%	Finishing Doubles	14/23 - 61%