Sport Forward: Van Barneveld stunned by Whitlock

Whitlock roared back from 4-2 down to beat Van Barneveld

Simon Whitlock held his nerve to beat Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 in a gripping semi-final at Alexandra Palace.

The Australian will face world number one Phil Taylor or Mark Webster in his first PDC World Championship final.

Van Barneveld, who has won five world championships, looked in control when he took a 4-2 lead and broke in the seventh set.

But Whitlock hauled himself level and then held off a late Van Barneveld charge to book his place in the final.

The 40-year-old checked out with a 60, after Van Barneveld had twice missed a double eight to break Whitlock in the third leg of the decider.

"I didn't know where that last dart was going and fortunately it went in," said Whitlock, nicknamed the "Wizard".

"I was so nervous. It's the hardest double to hit, that last one to win the match."

Van Barneveld, who has been struggling with fatigue caused by his recently-diagnosed diabetes, felt he had put in his best performance of the week.

"I was very comfortable at 4-2. The whole week I didn't play right. Now I play right and I lose... Funny game," said the Dutchman.

"This is where you want to perform, and I didn't reach the final so that's my 2010 over already!"

Sport Forward