RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD will face Phil Taylor in the final of the Ladbrokes.com PDC world darts championship after overcoming James Wade 6-4 at Alexandra Palace.

Van Barneveld failed to scale the heights that brought the championship’s first nine-dart finish in his 5-1 victory over Jelle Klaasen, while Wade delivered a better game than his 5-3 win over Paul Nicholson.

The opening four legs all went against the throw with Van Barneveld checking out on 64 to take the opening set. No 3 seed Wade took the second and the legs continued to go back and forth until Wade took a 4-3 set lead.

The game swung back in favour of Van Barneveld with the No 2 seed levelling at 4-4 before he took control with checkouts of 128 and 100 to secure victory.

Taylor had an easier time, defeating Mervyn King 6-2. The world No 1 took the first three sets without reply but King produced a comeback to take two sets in succession.

After failing to convert several chances, the top seed found his rhythm and claimed the final three sets, with a 10-dart finish in the penultimate leg.

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