JAMES WADE edged out Raymond van Barneveld in a deciding leg battle to win a semi-final spot at the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Wade has overtaken the Dutchman as world number two this year, and extended his psychological advantage in an intriguing contest.
Wade exploded out of the blocks, kicking off the match with back-to-back 180s before seeing a potential nine-darter go beginning, although he did take the first leg in 11.
Three missed doubles from the Dutchman were punished by double top as he doubled his lead and then went 3-0 up on double ten.
Wade then put himself in line for a £2,000 bonus with a sensational 167 checkout, the highest yet so far in the tournament, in going 4-0 up before van Barneveld got off the mark in the fifth.
The Dutchman's ploy of slowing down the keen left-hander worked as he took two further breaks of throw in a run of five successive legs as he took a 5-4 lead.
Wade hit back on double 12 to level and then went 7-5 up with a 106 checkout, finishing on double 13.
Van Barneveld hit the same bed to break back before defying a maximum from Wade to square the contest again.
Wade landed another 180 and double five in taking an 8-7 cushion, before an 11-darter from van Barneveld kept the game alive and ensured a decider.
Both players saw the high scoring which had littered most of the contest desert them as the tension rose, but it was Wade who took out double five to book his semi-final place against Robert Thornton.
"I think I got away with it!" said Wade. "I made the most of my chances and showed plenty of will to win.
"I'm having some close games but I'm winning and can look forward to the semis now."
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