Darts ace Whitlock books Matchplay semi

Bring it on, said Australian darts wizard Simon Whitlock, after booking a semi-final showdown with Dutch star Michael van Gerwen at the World Matchplay tournament in England.

For a second time in a row, Whitlock produced a stunning comeback from 4-0 down to beat 2007 champion James Wade 16-10 at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Thursday.

The world No.4 said he was on a mission to topple Wade after losing a close match to him last year.

"I wanted to get some revenge over that - and I did," Whitlock said.

"I just backed myself to play well.

"When my confidence is sky-high, I can be four-nil down and still come back.

"So, bring it on - everybody."

Whitlock next faces world champion van Gerwen, the pre-tournament favourite, who won a see-saw battle with ninth-seed Dave Chisnall.

The last time the Australian reached the Matchplay semi-finals was in 2010, when he went down to Phil `The Power' Taylor - a 14-time winner of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event.

"When I lost to Phil four years ago, I was sick. I came up with some horrible bug and played horrendous against him," he said.

"But it was a different time. Now, I'm more experienced and a much better player than four years ago."

Whitlock is targeting a second title this year, having beaten Wade in the final of the PDC's Players Championship last month.