• BDO World Championship

O'Shea stuns Adams to reach semis

Tony O'Shea pulled off a superb victory over defending champion Martin Adams © PA Photos

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Three-time world champion Martin Adams was sent crashing out of the BDO World Championship after an inspired performance by Tony O'Shea.

O'Shea, who reached the final at Lakeside in 2009, suffered a shock first-round defeat last year, but exorcised his demons with an impressive 5-2 victory over defending champion Adams.

O'Shea burst out of the blocks, racing to a 2-0 lead, and although Adams clawed his way back to 2-1, Silverback was undeterred as he produced a 170 checkout to take control of the fourth set. He took full advantage of some sloppy finishing from Adams, closing out the fourth set to take a 3-1 lead, leaving Wolfie with a mountain to climb.

Adams, who was bidding for a hat-trick of titles, having won the event for the last two years, was not prepared to go down without a fight, and the top seed won the fifth set to keep himself in the match, but once again O'Shea moved clear, winning the sixth set before holding his nerve to close out the victory.

"I knew the pressure Martin was under," O'Shea told ESPN. "To play well and beat him has made my year. I've played better than that, but if I can play that well in front of this crowd, then there's nothing I can't do."

Next up for O'Shea is Dutchman Wesley Harms, who secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over fellow debutant Paul Jennings. Harms, who came from 4-1 down to knock out fourth seed Robbie Green, showed impressive composure to book his place in his first major semi-final.

On the other side of the draw, Alan Norris meets Christian Kist and Ted Hankey takes on Martin Atkins in Friday's quarter-finals.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.