Taylor Lanning/PDC

Remarkable: James Wade confirmed as a tie-break specialist at World Matchplay

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 2:18 PM ET

The semi-final clash between James Wade and Jonny Clayton was a mouth-watering encounter that lived up to its billing. Wade appeared to be cruising with a 16-10 lead, but Clayton launched a stunning fightback, reeling off six consecutive legs to force a tiebreak at 16-16.

Under the World Matchplay format, semi-finals are played to 17 legs, but if the score reaches 16-16, a tiebreak ensues. Players are then given up to six additional legs to secure a two-leg advantage. If no player achieves that and the score reaches 19-19, a 39th and deciding leg is played.

It didn’t quite come to that at the Winter Gardens on Saturday night. Wade eventually steadied himself to edge out Clayton 20-18 in a tense, high-quality affair, booking his place in the World Matchplay final for the seventh time in his illustrious career.

The same tiebreak rule applies in earlier rounds of the tournament when scores are level near the finish. Remarkably, this latest victory marked the eighth time Wade has triumphed in a World Matchplay tiebreak — more than any other player in the tournament’s history.

Tiebreak Specialist

Wade has proven himself the undisputed master of the tiebreak format. His nearest challengers — Rod Harrington, Alan Warriner-Little, Ronnie Baxter, Kevin Painter, Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith, and Stephen Bunting — all sit on four such wins, a testament to Wade’s composure under pressure.

Now, "The Machine" stands just one win away from another major title. On Sunday night, he will face 18-year-old compatriot Luke Littler in the final. Wade, the 2007 champion, will be looking to cap off what has already been a vintage week in Blackpool.

For Littler, it’s a shot at history in only his second World Matchplay appearance. Last year, he bowed out in the first round at the hands of Michael van Gerwen — but this time, “The Nuke” is in the final and full of confidence.

Most wins in World Matchplay matches that have gone to extra legs

8 - James Wade
4 - Rod Harrington, Alan Warriner-Little, Ronnie Baxter, Kevin Painter, Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith, Stephen Bunting
— Weekly Dartscast (@WeeklyDartscast) July 26, 2025