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The Canadian came from two sets down to beat Adrian Gray – the conqueror of Phil Taylor and will now take on Terry Jenkins in an all Unicorn semi-final.

The Unicorn star has to win the event to snatch the final qualifying spot in the Premier League – but he soon found himself two sets behind, despite hitting thee 180s.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “But I always felt good up there and as for the Premier League? Well, I know what I’ve got to do, so it’s in my own hands.”

Part just edged the third set, and he was in business. He stepped up the pace and Gray started missing his doubles. A brilliant 11 dart leg levelled the match….152, 180, 137 with his first nine darts.

Gray led 2-0 in the critical 5th set but Part reeled off three consecutive legs to go ahead for the first time in the quarter-final. In the first leg of the 6th set came his seventh maximum and a terrific 129 finish and he closed out the match with a cool 85 check-out.

Adrian Lewis came so close to beating Raymond Van Barneveld in an epic quarter-final, which went all the way to the very last leg of the match. It was a fantastic clash. Lewis won the first set at a canter, before Barney stepped it up a notch, as he won seven consecutive legs, to go 2 sets to 1 and a leg in front.

The World Champion then missed double 16 for a 101 finish and a 3 sets to 1 lead, only to see Lewis take out double five and level the match.

It was thrilling stuff, as Barney took the 5th set in a decider….Lewis replied in kind to make it three apiece and there were some dazzling darts from both players in a brilliant final set.

Barneveld’s 7th 180 took him to a 2-0 lead and he missed the bull for an 83 finish and the match…..back came Lewis yet again to win the next two and the match went into a dramatic last leg. Both produced some great darts….Lewis was left on 71, when the Dutchman hit double five with his last dart to take the match.

“Despite losing, I’m still very proud at the way I played out there. I only had an hour’s sleep on Thursday night because of the problems with my tooth and I gave it my all,” Lewis said.

It was still a great performance from Lewis, who earlier in the day had had major dental surgery. He had the badly infected tooth taken out and stitches in his jaw.

Meanwhile, James Wade stayed on course for back-to-back TV ‘Major’ crowns. The World Matchplay champion demolished former Dublin winner Colin Lloyd 4-0.

Wade set up a semi-final showdown against Barney with a dominant display. He should have won the opening set 3-0….Lloyd pinched a leg but it didn’t matter, as double 10 sealed it for the Unicorn Maestro.

Lloyd went 2 legs clear in the next, with the help of a 130 finish….Wade levelled with a 101 kill and after Lloyd missed double 18 for the set, the Aldershot star stepped in.

When he won the third set, the writing was on the wall. The fourth set went to a deciding leg but a brilliant 177 from Wade set up the victory chance and a 54 check-out sealed an impressive win.

“I am still not at my best,” he admitted. “There is a lot more to come and I am really enjoying my darts at the moment, which is a big factor.”

Terry Jenkins cruised into the semi-finals at the expense of Mark Dudbridge. ‘The Bull’ looked impressive with his usual solid darts.

Dudbridge won the first leg, only for Jenkins to take the next three for the set. He came from 1-2 down to take the second. ‘Flash’ came back to win the third set but Jenkins wasn’t to be denied yet another semi-final appearance. A 64 finish took the match in the fifth set.

And whatever happens, there will be a new name on the World Grand Prix trophy on Sunday night.

Quarter-Final results:

Colin Lloyd 0-4 James Wade
Adrian Gray 2-4 John Part
Raymond Van Barneveld 4-3 Adrian Lews
Mark Dudbridge 1-4 Terry Jenkins

Semi-final line-up (best of 9 sets):

John Part v Terry Jenkins
James Wade v Raymond Van Barneveld

BY STUART PYKE AT THE CITY WEST HOTEL

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC.