Once upon a time, a baby-faced Keith Deller caused one of the greatest upsets in professional darts history by beating opponents who seemed invincible. Twenty-five years on from that famous triumph, Kirk Shepherd is set to rewrite history. At 21 years and 88 days, he will be the youngest finalist in the history of both world darts championships, two days younger than Jelle Klaasen, the Dutchman who lifted the BDO title in 2006. A breathtaking performance from the qualifier last night brought him a 6-4 victory over Wayne Mardle, the quarter-final conqueror of Phil Taylor, in a fascinating tussle.

Shepherd has beaten five seeds, had 13 darts against him to exit, but somehow has rode his luck. The sheet metal worker from Ramsgate, Kent, has gained a nickname of “Karate Kid” because he is a second dan black belt. Shepherd, who before the championship had earned only £2,000 in PDC prize-money, is now eyeing a jackpot of £100,000.

Shepherd, watched by his parents and girlfriend, Emma, had to battle his way through five qualifying rounds on the same night in Wolverhampton in November to reach the Alexandra Palace in North London. He began at 500-1 to win the tournament and is now priced at 5-2. Shepherd will play John Part, 41, the world No 11 and twice a world champion.

Part beat Shepherd 3-2 on the only other occasion that they have met. “I believe that I can win this,” the confident youngster said. “He will not fear me, and me not him. I am not here to make up the numbers. I have ridden my luck. I can win it.”

None of it appeared possible when a blistering Mardle took the opening three legs. He missed opportunities in the next two sets and soon found himself behind. Both players had 12-dart finishes in the third set but Shepherd hit 134, and then double 20, to take a 2-1 lead. Mardle stormed back with a 170 check-out at the start of the fourth set, but he found himself 3-1 down when Shepherd hit a 128 check-out.

The fifth set was delicately poised. Shepherd missed four darts to take a 4-1 lead and Mardle stuck an unbelievable 140 check-out to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Mardle drew level at 3-3, aided by a maximum and a 13-dart finish. He took a third consecutive set with double 20, but the gritty Shepherd steadied himself and drew level at 4-4.

Shepherd broke Mardle in the first leg of the ninth set, which he took with double four, to lead 5-4. He missed one chance to win the match, but took his second, with double 16 for a 62 check-out before briefly collapsing to the floor as his emotions took over.

Part defeated Kevin Painter 6-2 in the other semi-final, a victory sealed with a magnificent 130 check-out. This is the best the Canadian has played since his triumph over Taylor in the final in 2003. Part even slipped out of the top 16 last year, but his appetite and focus for the sport have returned. Painter lost only one more leg than Part overall, but on the four occasions that he won a leg against the darts, he lost the advantage in the next leg.

Part was never behind. He shot a double nine to take the first leg against the throw and wrapped up the set with an 86 check-out. He came back to win the next set with double 16, but lost the third without winning a leg. Painter found momentum to reduce the deficit to 2-1 without losing a leg. But he missed double 20 to take a two-leg lead and Part seized his chance with a 160 check-out on his way to a 5-1 lead. A gallant Painter rallied to hit an 11-dart finish in winning the next set, but Part came from behind to complete victory.

The final

Kirk Shepherd (Eng) v John Part (Can) Alexandra Palace, 7.30pm tomorrow, live on Sky Sports 1

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