PDC Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen to play Peter Wright in final
- Published
Wednesday's World Championship final will be Michael van Gerwen's fifth in eight years
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen will play Scotland's Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship final on New Year's Day.
Dutchman Van Gerwen, who is chasing a fourth title, beat England's Nathan Aspinall 6-3 in the semi-final at Alexandra Palace, London.
Earlier, Wright, 49, beat Wales' Gerwyn Price 6-3 to reach his first PDC World Championship final since 2014.
On that occasion, Van Gerwen defeated Wright 7-4 for his first world title.
"I feel phenomenal," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports. "But with my performance and how I played, I'm not too happy."
Van Gerwen hit just three 180s in the semi-final, compared to Aspinall's nine, with an average of 96.
"I think I can bring my A-game to the final," he added. "I haven't had to produce my A-game yet. It's nice to be in a final without reaching the top level."
On facing Wright in Wednesday's final, Van Gerwen said: "Peter is playing well and I have to make sure I give him a proper game.
"Me and Peter have history, we have played so many games together.
"Normally he's runner-up in finals against me, so I hope I can keep it that way."
'He was nowhere near me' - Wright beats Price in feisty encounter
Wright and Price did not shake hands at the end of the match
Earlier on Monday, Wright eased past third seed Price with 16 180s and a 98 average.
Prior to the match, Price had questioned Wright's focus during the tournament, and the players did not shake hands afterwards.
"I just focused," Wright told Sky Sports. "I've got to play better than that to win this, and I think I will."
He added: "We were winding each other up before the match.
"[Price] said he was going to win the first two sets. I like him, but I didn't appreciate what he did.
"That's why I didn't celebrate. He wanted me to concentrate, I concentrated, he lost.
"His average wasn't that good. He was nowhere near me. It spurred me on."
Wright lost to three-time winner Van Gerwen in the final five years ago but vowed to exact revenge if the Dutchman beat England's Aspinall in Monday's second semi-final.
"I'm not going to throw it away again," he said. "I've matured over all these years.
"I believe I can hit anything I want."