Raymond Barneveld moved closer to a third Embassy World Championship title with a 5-1 defeat of Belgium's Erik Clarys.

The Dutchman will now meet England's Mervyn King in Saturday's semi-finals at Frimley Green after the number three seed hammered compatriot Colin Monk 5-0.

The winner will meet the victor of the other semi-final between Ritchie Davies and Gary Anderson.

Clarys had the consolation of shooting the highest checkout of the tournament, a 170 finish in the last set.

The roofer from Antwerp made an impressive start and nailed double 10 to open with a 14-dart leg.

But Barneveld responded with a successful attempt at double 12 and went on to edge the first and second sets.

Erik played some fantastic darts, but you have to play really fantastic darts to beat Raymond Barneveld Raymond Barneveld

The Belgian fought hard and deservedly won the third set 3-1.

But normal service was resumed when Barneveld checked out on 124 to open up a two-set lead again and he ran out a worthy winner.

"I'm delighted to be in the semi-finals," said the Dutchman afterwards.

"Erik played some fantastic darts, but you have to play really fantastic darts if you are going to beat Raymond Barneveld.

"In the last two years Ted Hankey and Mervyn King both did that, and credit must go to them."

In the night's other quarter-final, King made late work of Monk, clinching the first set three legs to one.

Colin was under-par tonight Mervyn King

Monk hit back in the second and, at one stage, led 2-1 before a King 12-darter took it to a deciding leg.

Then the Ipswich thrower rattled off the leg with ease, finishing off on a double 14 before taking a 3-0 lead following a one-sided third set.

His opponent on the oche looked to be getting back into the game in the fourth set, taking the scores to 2-2, before a 120 checkout from King put him into a 4-0 lead.

And King rounded off the game with a 3-1 victory in the final set.

"I'm quite pleased with my performance tonight," said King afterwards. "That said, I didn't score as well as I usually do but my finishing was quite good.

"Colin was under-par tonight. However, if you don't let him in, he's not going to produce his best. I think I got on top of him and kept him under pressure."