2026 World Darts Championship results: Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle reach the semi-finals

Searle won 14 straight sets to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.

The 38-year-old English player extended his career to 17 times with some finishing touches in the first three sets against Clayton, who took fourth place to reduce his deficit.

Searle’s 111 finish in the deciding phase of the fifth game, one of his three-plus outs in the match, restored his three-set advantage and took control of the seventh to secure a place in the final four.

Clayton scored better for long periods of the quarter-finals, but several missed attempts on the outer rink proved costly for the Welsh fifth seed, who scored just 10 of his 40 attempts at doubles (25%).

On the other hand, Searle scored 17 of his 30 attempts (56.7%).

Searle lives with autosomal dominant optic atrophy, a genetic eye condition that affects his vision, which is why he wears contact lenses.

Speaking to Sky Sports on stage after his win, he said: “I can’t see particularly well.

“Other people trying to play darts, if they can’t see well, try not to let that hold you back.

“I try to be an inspiration to them.”