TheOche.com

ITV Wildcard qualifier Kevin McDine continued his dream run at the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts with a stunning 10-3 defeat of Jelle Klaasen.

The 22-year-old knocked out number four seed James Wade on Wednesday, and booked his place in the semi-finals with another assured display.

He continued to show no nerves on the big stage to storm past the former World Champion with ease.

He was 4-0 up before Klaasen got off the mark, and landed eight maximums to average 99 for the match.

“It’s unbelievable,” said McDine, who is appearing in his first televised tournament. “It’s not a surprise because I know I can play, but reaching the semi-finals is a surprise.

“I’ve always wanted to be a World Champion, since I picked up a dart as a three-year-old, and this is a dream run.

“I hit two 180s in the first leg and that was important, but I was pretty relaxed throughout.”

He kicked off the match with a 180 and added a further maximum on his way to the first leg, with a cool 70 finish doubling the lead.

McDine took out double top to move 3-0 up before a 99 finish, with Klaasen waiting on double 18, to move clear.

Klaasen got off the mark by winning back-to-back legs either side of the first break, only for McDine to raise his game once again.

A 70 finish on the bullseye was followed by him punishing four missed doubles from the Dutchman to move 6-2 up.

He kicked off leg nine six two maximums, and although a nine-darter went begging he took a five-leg cushion in 12 darts.

Klaasen won leg ten on double ten, but an effortless 104 checkout restored McDine’s advantage and a 165 scoreline left him a 16 finish to move 9-3 up.

Klaasen landed his first maximum of the game in the next leg, but misses on the bullseye and double eight allowed McDine to wrap up victory on double four.

“He was better than me tonight,” admitted Klaasen. “I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be and I missed a couple of darts and he checked out.”