Searle leads by two setspublished at 13:05 GMT 1 January
Searle 2-0 Clayton (3-0)
Ryan Searle sets up 36 with a stunning 171. Can he find double 18 for a two-set lead? You bet he can.
Summary
Evening results: Luke Littler 5-0 Krzysztof Ratajski, Luke Humphries 1-5 Gian van Veen
Defending champion Littler receives positive response from crowd in straight-set win
Van Veen averages more than 105 to knock out 2024 world champion Humphries
Afternoon results: Ryan Searle 5-2 Jonny Clayton, Gary Anderson 5-2 Justin Hood
England's Searle into his first World Championship semi-final and will play Littler next
Scotland's two-time champion Anderson into last four for first time since 2022
Semi-finals to be played on Friday, with final scheduled for Saturday
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Searle leads by two setspublished at 13:05 GMT 1 January
Postpublished at 13:05 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (2-0)
Image source, Getty ImagesJonny Clayton is dominating with his scoring but he can't buy a double. He's hit one in 10.
Not good enough against someone like Ryan Searle.
Postpublished at 13:04 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (2-0)
Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky SportsUnbelievable finishing from Ryan Searle.
Searle takes out 116 for breakpublished at 13:04 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (2-0)
Jonny Clayton is first down to a finish again. He needs 64 but he's miles off with the double 16.
Ryan Searle comes back and punishes him again with a massive 116.
Searle has started brilliantly!
Searle holdspublished at 13:02 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (1-0)
Jonny Clayton leaves 121 and can only leave 64 with Ryan Searle on the Big Fish. You wouldn't put it past him after finding the first treble but he can't follow it up.
Jonny Clayton misses three darts at the double and Searle punishes him with tops.
Postpublished at 13:02 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (0-0)
Laura Turner
Ex-Women's World Championship quarter-finalist on Sky SportsJonny Clayton has raised his game from what we've seen so far, but it's not quite enough at the moment.
Postpublished at 13:01 GMT 1 January
Some great fancy dress efforts here.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Mediaget involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:59 GMT 1 January
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This afternoon session is going to be a cracker! Two experienced players head-to-head before the unstoppable Justin Hood faces the great Gary Anderson. This is all before the evening where Luke Littler is in action and well what a tie we have tonight! I wouldn’t be surprised if Cool Hand has troubles against the ever-rising Van Veen. It truly is a brilliant day to welcome the new year of darts!
Zach, Tolworth
Postpublished at 12:58 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (0-0)
Well, these two aren't messing about, are they?
Jonny Clayton is averaging 113.34 but is a set down.
Searle takes the first setpublished at 12:56 GMT 1 January
Searle 1-0 Clayton (3-1)
Jonny Clayton is flinging in these 180s. He starts the leg with one again before finding the treble twice more.
He leaves 71 after nine darts but Ryan Searle hurts him with a brilliant 125 finish.
What a start to this match!
Clayton holdspublished at 12:54 GMT 1 January
Searle 0-0 Clayton (2-1)
Jonny Clayton finds his second max of the match to start the leg. He's down to 46 with Ryan Searle miles off it. Clayton misses double eight but will come back.
Clayton misses double four but lands double two.
Postpublished at 12:53 GMT 1 January
Searle 0-0 Clayton (2-0)
Laura Turner
Ex-Women's World Championship quarter-finalist on Sky SportsHeavy Metal means business.
Searle holdspublished at 12:53 GMT 1 January
Searle 0-0 Clayton (2-0)
Image source, PA MediaRyan Searle needs the bull for a 124 stunner but wires it. Jonny Clayton looks for 164 but can only leave 24. He doesn't get the chance to come back, though, with Searle nailing double 12 again.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:52 GMT 1 January
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With the way Searle has been playing, I wouldn't be shocked to see him take a few sets unanswered here, he's been the standout player of the tournament for me so far.
Oliver, Wiltshire
Searle breakspublished at 12:52 GMT 1 January
Searle 0-0 Clayton (1-0)
Jonny Clayton is first down to a finish. He needs 94 but misses tops for the leg. Ryan Searle steps up and nails double 12 to check out on 96 before banging in the first max of the match.
Postpublished at 12:50 GMT 1 January
Searle 0-0 Clayton (0-0)
It's Jonny Clayton with the darts to kick this one as the quarter-finals get under way.
Quarter-final matches are the best of nine sets, so the first to five will earn themselves a semi-final spot.
Postpublished at 12:49 GMT 1 January
Searle v Clayton
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky SportsThe best is to come from Jonny Clayton and he has the added motivation of a place in the Premier League too.
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:48 GMT 1 January
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Interesting (if perhaps unlikely) possibility today that we end up with an all-England semi-final line-up - or no England at all! Here's to a great day of darts.
Jared, Cardiff
Postpublished at 12:47 GMT 1 January
Searle v Clayton
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky SportsRyan Searle looks happy with his family around him, he looks comfortable. I think that's one of the reasons why he's playing so well.
Postpublished at 12:47 GMT 1 January
Searle v Clayton
Let's get this show on the road. Ryan Searle is on the stage and here comes Jonny Clayton.