The big name trio impressed across Friday’s action from Alexandra Palace as the Quarter Final line ups were confirmed.
Stephen Bunting, the 2021 Semi-Finalist, continued his magnificent recent form to dispatch fifth seed Luke Humphries 4-1.
Bunting averaged 102 to overcome Dave Chisnall in round three, and he delivered a similarly impressive display to account for the former UK Open runner-up.
The former Lakeside Champion converted 121, 127 and 106 combinations to cap off a clinical display, defying a brief rally from Humphries in set three to preserve his hopes of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Clemens made history with a resounding 4-1 success against Scottish star Alan Soutar to become the first German player to reach the quarter-finals at the World Darts Championship.
The opening two sets were shared, but Clemens assumed control midway through the tie, converting 85, 92 and 62 combinations in set three, before producing legs of 11 and 15 darts to move 3-1 ahead.
Germany’s number one then conjured up a majestic 148 finish on tops to edge closer to victory, and overcame some late nerves to book a fascinating quarter-final showdown against top seed Gerwyn Price.
“I’m in the quarter-finals of the World Championship, it’s amazing,” admitted Clemens, who will feature in his first televised ranking quarter-final on New Year’s Day.
“I hope this inspires younger players in Germany. There are so many German fans in the crowd, and that’s really nice.
“Gerwyn is the favourite, but I’ve played three good games on this stage, and we will see. I believe I will give him a good game and I will take my chances.”
Meanwhile, in Friday’s opener, Dimitri Van den Bergh secured a place in his third World Championship quarter-final after producing a demolition job to defeat his Belgian World Cup partner Kim Huybrechts in straight sets.
Van den Bergh kicked off proceedings with a sublime 11-dart leg which set the tone for a dominant display, and he won nine of the last ten legs to set up a New Year’s Day showdown against Jonny Clayton.
The quarter-final action will take place on a blockbuster double session on January 1, with Clayton and Van den Bergh kicking off proceedings, before the all-St Helens tie between Smith and Bunting.
The evening session will then see 2021 World Champion Price play German trailblazer Clemens, before Van Gerwen and Dobey collide for a place in Monday’s last four.
Click here to view match stats & results
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session
3x Fourth Round
Dimitri Van den Bergh 4-0 Kim Huybrechts (3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Gabriel Clemens 4-1 Alan Soutar (3-0, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Michael Smith 4-1 Joe Cullen (3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Evening Session
3x Fourth Round
Chris Dobey 4-2 Rob Cross (1-3, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
Michael van Gerwen 4-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Stephen Bunting 4-1 Luke Humphries (3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Sunday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jonny Clayton
Michael Smith v Stephen Bunting
Evening Session (1930 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey
Best of nine sets
—ENDS—
Images: Kieran Cleeves / PDC
Images: PDC
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