Michael van Gerwen is on double top so Chris Dobey simply has to make a 126 checkout - almost! Narrowly outside the bullseye.

MvG hits the red bit and goes in front for the first time in set two.

On 70, Chris Dobey only gets a shot at the bullseye to win the leg and misses.

It's the kind of error that Michael van Gerwen has pounced all over for more than a decade and he does so again here, taking out 84 in two darts to break back.

Solid scoring to start the second set for Chris Dobey, the lowest-ranked player left in this year's World Championship.

The Englishman is down to a finish first and has plenty of time to wrap up a break of throw.

Tonight's two semi-finals are the best of 11 sets, so six is the magic number that the players are aiming for to take them through to the final.

Each set is the best of five legs.

The two players alternate who throws first in the opening leg of a set.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

Michael van Gerwen is a man in a hurry, a man on a mission. He has stormed through the first set.

Image source, Reuters

First set to Michael van Gerwen!

The Dutchman starts with a 174 to take control of the leg and seals it with a 75 checkout.

It's very early days - the first to six sets wins, remember - but it's a cracking start by the three-time world champion.

Chris Dobey gets his first maximum of the match and misses a dart at double 16 for a 12-dart leg, but it's a very comfortable hold of throw.

Michael van Gerwen will throw for the set now, though.

Superb start by MvG, who takes out 100 for an 11-dart leg and he is one away from breezing through the opening set.

Michael van Gerwen starts the match with a 180, his 36th of the tournament, which lays the platform for a 15-dart break of throw in the opening leg.

*denotes throwing first in next leg

A fist bump between the two players and we're under way.

Chris Dobey throws first in the opening leg of the match.

Right then - let's get this semi-final show on the road! Or the oche...

Chris Dobey is introduced first by MC John McDonald and walks on to "Let's Get Ready To Rhumble" by PJ and Duncan of his native north east of England.

Michael van Gerwen follows to the tune of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army".

The crowd are well up for this one.

Riley Taylor on X: One moment from me to take away from this tournament is: Damon Heta, despite going out, hitting the nine-darter vs Luke Woodhouse!

And "The Heat" wins the award for "best walk-on headgear" too!

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Dobey, speaking after his quarter-final win over Gerwyn Price on Tuesday: "That meant a lot. It is a massive achievement in my career.

"Getting over that winning line, honestly, it's hard work. It's the most nervous I have ever felt throwing to try to win a match.

"It was a bit up and down but I'm delighted to be sat here and I'm looking forward to the semi-final.

"I think I'm a better player now. I just need to keep performing the way I am. I really do believe that I can go all the way."

Fifteenth seed Chris Dobey has reached the last four the hard way.

He went to deciders to beat both Kevin Doets and Josh Rock, before coming from two sets down to defeat Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.

Michael van Gerwen, speaking after beating Callan Rydz in his quarter-final on Wednesday: "Callan put me under a lot of pressure. It was probably one of the most difficult moments of my year.

"I think Callan has been a credit to this tournament, so to produce these moments when I had to, it gives me a lot of energy.

"This game gave me goosebumps. This is why you want to play darts.

"I think I have a lot of confidence and a lot of experience. I think I am in a good place, otherwise I couldn't produce what I did against Callan, so I need to make sure I keep maintaining this focus.

"I believe I can still do more, but as long as I keep performing like this, I definitely have a chance."

Michael van Gerwen has shown glimpses of his best over the past couple of weeks as he seeks a fourth world title.

The Dutchman came through a pulsating quarter-final against Callan Rydz on Wednesday, despite his opponent hitting 17 180s and averaging 103.88.

The semi-final of a World Championship is new territory for Chris Dobey, who has been knocked out in the last eight in each of the past two years.

His run at the Ally Pally this year is guaranteed to take him into the top 10 of the PDC rankings.

Michael van Gerwen, meanwhile, is aiming to reach the final for a seventh time and add to his world title victories in 2014, 2017 and 2019.

Our first semi-final is about 15 minutes away...