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World number one Luke Humphries will face three-time winner Michael van Gerwen in his first World Matchplay final.<\/b><\/p>\n
Humphries beat James Wade 17-10 to book his spot in Sunday’s showpiece at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, while Van Gerwen overcame Michael Smith 17-13 in their semi-final.<\/p>\n
Englishman Humphries was far from his fluent best in the opening exchanges against Wade and the score was level at 5-5 after the first two sessions.<\/p>\n
Wade moved in front upon their return to the oche but the world champion claimed an 8-7 lead before winning the next four legs to break his compatriot’s resolve.<\/p>\n
Humphries took out an impressive 156 to lead 15-9 before reaching his first final.<\/p>\n
“I don\u2019t know how I won 17-10,” Humphries told Sky Sports. <\/p>\n
“It was a fantastic game and James was fantastic and against another player he probably would have won. I was just deadly in that mid-part.”<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen’s pursuit of a fourth title remains alive after a victory in which momentum changed hands several times.<\/p>\n
Smith produced a couple of comebacks to reduce the deficit but the key moment came in the 25th leg with the score at 12-12.<\/p>\n
England’s Smith missed double top to break Van Gerwen’s throw and take the lead, before the Dutchman produced a stunning 136 checkout to hold.<\/p>\n
Smith lost his rhythm in the next three games and managed to hold throw in the 29th before Van Gerwen closed out victory in the following leg.<\/p>\n
“I have to make sure my doubles are better in the final but my scoring made up for it,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
“I know what I’m capable of and my scoring power is better than Luke so I need to make sure my rhythm carries on tomorrow.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n