Andy Hamilton pitched into test of nerve as PDC Championship nears climax at Alexandra Palace This is especially true in darts, a game of precision and millimetres, where the difference between triumph and disaster can be just the twitch of a nerve. It is why for two decades, players who have been able to match Phil Taylor's scoring have rarely equalled his courage. Throughout his career, Stoke-on-Trent's Andy Hamilton has shown the potential to approach the upper echelons of the game. What has thus far prevented him doing so is his frequent inability to convert promising positions into winning outcomes. As his PDC World Championship semi-final against Australia's Simon Whitlock reached the business end at Alexandra Palace in London last night, it appeared the flaw might be about to afflict him again. Although Hamilton, the world No 17, had cruised into a 3-1 lead, a stirring comeback by world No 5 Whitlock put him 5-3 ahead in the best-of-11-sets encounter, taking him to the brink of his second world final. A match that had looked to be going against the formbook, the rankings list and the bookmakers was finally conforming to expectations. It was the perfect counterpoint to the match between the two at the World Matchplay in July, one of the greatest in history. That night, Hamilton had recovered from 15-8 down to stun Whitlock 17-15. Cast in the role of front-runner after a strong start, he looked far less comfortable. Having demolished last year's runner-up Gary Anderson 5-1 in the quarter-finals on Friday, Whitlock, 42, began as favourite. Hamilton, 44 had disposed of Dave Chisnall, the conqueror of Phil Taylor, in round three, but was yet to beat a top-10 player on his way to his second world championship semi-final. Yet despite standing on the verge of the biggest payday of his career, it was Hamilton who settled quicker. Nervousness appeared to get the better of Whitlock, who missed single 20 and single 19 with consecutive darts on his way to giving up the first set. Whitlock levelled with the darts in set two, but still looked ill at ease. The broken ankle that has restricted his movement since October may have proved handy in slowing down quicker players, but here he looked burdened. It was not until the end of the third set that he had a decent opportunity to break the throw, but Hamilton shut the door with a 118 checkout to take the lead again. A capacity crowd, including former England rugby player Brian Moore and Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, looked on as consecutive 12-dart finishes by Hamilton stretched his lead to 3-1. But Whitlock stormed back, breaking Hamilton for the first time and consolidating it with a 170 checkout. Suddenly the momentum had shifted. Now it was Hamilton missing, looking as threatening as the inflatable hammer he carries. Whitlock won set six and then, looking more comfortable, broke early in the seventh set to lead for the first time. He took this set and the next too, to stretch his lead to 5-3 - only for Hamilton to level at 5-5. In the second semi-final, James Wade was due to face defending champion Adrian Lewis.