That's a fifth maximum of the night for Rob Cross, his darts are glued to that treble.

The World Championship debutant leaves 81 and it's third time lucky as he sinks his dart into the bull.

BOOM.

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This is a fast-paced match. Blink and you'll miss it.

But it's deja vu for Cross who again misses bull for the finish.

He comes back but throws loose darts at double eight and double four.

Van Gerwen steps in and hit double nine. I feel like I'm repeating myself...

That's another maximum for Rob Cross, who leaves 81 but can't find the bull for a break.

MVG takes out 116 on double 18 to hold his throw. Brilliant darts from Mighty Mike.

Jamie Lewis also won his first set, but couldn't take any of the next six against Phil Taylor in the first semi-final.

Can Cross go one better?

Van Gerwen with the darts in the second set.

Class from Barney...

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Is history repeating itself? Rob Cross has to take every opportunity if he's to beat MVG tonight.

Van Gerwen hits a 180 of his own in the next leg but a huge visit from Cross puts pressure on MVG who misses a dart at double tops to take the set.

Cross HITS DOUBLE 12 and wins the first set.

That was 204 points in just four darts for a 1-0 lead.

Wow.

Rob Cross hits the first 180 of the second semi-final, but it's not enough to steal the leg.

MVG misses FIVE darts at double 16 - what are the odds of that?

But Cross can't take advantage and puts his shot at the double 16 inside the bed.

MVG makes no mistake with his sixth and levels the scores.

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Rob Cross, the 20th seed, has started confidently in this match.

He knocks in a 134 followed by a 174 to leave himself a finish.

'Voltage' can't see off the ton-plus finish but with the last dart in hand he slots in double 20.

That's two legs to the debutant.

That's the second leg.

A cool 13-darter from MVG and he wraps up the leg with double tops.

This one is flowing far better than the first semi-final.

The final darts match of 2017 is under way.

Cross with the arrows to start, and he hits a 140 with his first three shots.

He's well ahead in this leg, but misses with his first darts at a double.

That'll do it though, Cross nails double eight to take the first leg. Easy.

The players are on stage, the crowd are ready, but let's take a look at some pre-match stats.

This could be a close one.

It's debutant Cross who actually leads MVG on the 180s, 40 in the tournament so far.

Van Gerwen edges it on the doubles though. Cross can't afford to do a Jamie Lewis here.

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The lights are down, the green strobes are out...

It's time to meet current world number one and reigning World Champion...

OHHHH MICHAEL VAN GERWEN.

Let's find out. It's time to meet the players.

First up, Rob Cross.

He walks on to a salsa number, Feeling Hot Hot Hot. Never fails to make you dance.

On your feet everyone...

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Rob Cross is another player the part-time darts fans may not have heard of.

The 27-year-old former electrician has had a dream debut season, making the semi-finals at his first World Championships.

The 20th-seed was a virtual unknown before winning the Challenge Tour and earning his PDC tour card in 2017 - a season that will end with him in the world's top 10.

He made the final of the European Championship, where he lost to Van Gerwen, and won four Players Championships.

But can he go all the way to the final at the biggest event on the calendar?

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This man needs no introduction.

Two-time world champion Michael van Gerwen is looking to defend his crown in style.

The 28-year-old has had a tougher run in this year's competition.

He was pushed all the way by Gerwyn Price in the last 16 and narrowly edged out Dutch compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in last night's quarter-finals.

But who will Taylor face in the final?

Defending champion MVG or this year's hottest prospect Rob Cross?

Grab the last of the christmas chocolate, make a cup of tea, and I'll see you back here in five.

Phil, trying to hear the questions over the roar of the crowd, continues...

"I was absolutely shattered tonight but I've got a day off tomorrow before the final.

"I'll watch the next semi-final with interest. If I could have picked two players to be in the final it would have been Adrian Lewis or Raymond van Barneveld."

Well, you can't have everything Phil.

You'll have to put up with Michael van Gerwen or Rob Cross.

The second semi-final is up next.

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Jamie Lewis has had the tournament of his life, but his doubles let him down in the semi-final.

Phil Taylor reaches his 21st World Championship final and is aiming for a 17th crown.

"I'm over the moon," Taylor tells Sky Sports.

"It's been a struggle. Jamie Lewis is a bit like Dennis Priestley, he's steady, accurate and he doesn't show any emotion. He is fantastic.

"When I got to Gary Anderson I thought it was over but he didn't perform. I'm just picking up the pieces and I prayed on Jamie's lack of experience.

"He missed a couple of crucial doubles and he had me. In the first three sets I didn't know where I was."

Make that nine.

Nine darts missed at a double by Lewis to take sets in this final.

DOUBLE 16 from Phil Taylor and it's GAME, SET and MATCH.

The dream is still on.

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Too good from Taylor.

With Lewis waiting on 85, he throws a 142 to pile on the pressure and... yep, you guessed it, Lewis misses his doubles.

Taylor strolls up to the oche and in goes double 19.

Lewis has now missed EIGHT DARTS to win sets in this match.

Taylor one leg away from the World Championship final.