Luke Humphries on Sky Sports: "Being in the World Matchplay final is big for me. I know I need to be at the top of my game tonight."

On Michael van Gerwen: "He hasn't taught me a lesson in any of our last seven games and I hope he doesn't tonight."

Some strong quotes from Michael van Gerwen after Saturday's semi-final win over Michael Smth.

"I am in the final now, I don't care what anyone says," he said.

"I have work to do but who cares, I won.

"He was playing better than me, it was a really good moment, you could see my emotion after that one. I did it and I don't care.

"I have to teach (Humphries) a lesson, I need to put him in his place."

Earlier today, Beau Greaves successfully defended her Women's World Matchplay title, beating Fallon Sherrock 6-3 in the final at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

Greaves, 20, was level with Sherrock at 2-2 but averaged 98.75 and broke throw four times to win.

The triumph earns her a place at both the PDC's Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship, but she will forgo the latter at Alexandra Palace to defend her WDF Women's World Championsip at Lakeside.

"Men's and ladies darts should be separate. I don't think any lady will ever go to Ally Pally (for the World Championship) and win that. If you think that, you're being silly," she said.

Victory pocketed the top seed £10,000 in prize money.

Read the report in full here.

Image source, Mark Robinson/PDC

We want to hear you thoughts on this blockbuster final.

Get in touch to let us know who you are backing and why. Use the thumbs - up for Michael Van Gerwen, down for Luke Humphries.

And who do you think has been the player of 2024 so far? Is it world champion Humphries, rising star Luke Littler or someone else?...

Michael van Gerwen could not have had a tougher opening round draw for the World Matchplay, having been drawn against 2024 Premier League champion Luke Littler in the first round.

Van Gerwen overcame Littler with a 10-6 victory, then defeated Joe Cullen 11-8 in the second round.

In the quarter-finals, Van Gerwen beat Andrew Gilding 16-10 to set up a semi-final clash with Michael Smith, which "Mighty Mike" won 17-13.

Round one: Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Luke Littler

Round two: Michael van Gerwen 11-8 Joe Cullen

Quarter-finals: Michael van Gerwen 16-10 Andrew Gilding

Semi-finals: Michael van Gerwen 17-13 Michael Smith

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Humphries started his road to the final with a 10-4 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko, following that up with a 11-7 win over Stephen Bunting in the second round.

In the quarter-finals, Humphries was a 16-10 winner over Dimitri Van den Bergh and he booked his place in the final with a 17-10 triumph over 2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade.

Round one: Luke Humphries 10-4 Ricardo Pietreczko

Round two: Luke Humphries 11-7 Stephen Bunting

Quarter-finals: Luke Humphries 16-10 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Semi-finals: Luke Humphries 17-10 James Wade

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to tonight's live text for the Men's World Matchplay final between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.

Tonight's final is a best of 35 legs at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, so expect plenty of twists and turns along the way.

For current world champion Humphries, this is his first taste of a World Matchplay final. Meanwhile Van Gerwen is competing in his fifth final, having previously won this competition three times.

As we gear up for the final, starting from around 20:00 BST, let's take a look at how both men have fared so far at this month's tournament.

Image source, Getty Images