James Wade 'bamboozled' and 'f*****' as he faces Luke Littler in World Matchplay final

So, 'the Machine' keeps going in Blackpool. James Wade is in the World Matchplay final at the Winter Gardens after his epic win over Jonny Clayton on Saturday night, and he now has the chance to reclaim the title he won in 2007.

The 42-year-old did it the hard way, though. He seemed to be cruising into the final as he led Clayton 16-10, before the Welshman launched a monumental fightback. 'The Ferret' won six legs in succession to force sudden death.

Wade edged ahead, but needing to go two legs clear, Clayton was poised to again level but missed a shot at double tops. The Englishman duly nailed double 18 to return to the final for the first time since being beaten by Michael van Gerwen in 2015.

Afterwards, Wade was his candid self when describing his emotions. He said: "Oh, I'm tired, I am genuinely absolutely bamboozled after that. I'm f*****."

The world No.8 has been vociferous this week, slamming comparisons between his attitude and that of golf's world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, and taking aim at Sky Sports for what he perceived to be a lack of respect towards him, claiming they never mentioned him in the build-up to his quarter-final. However, he did concede his exhaustion was due to his own failure to put Clayton away earlier.

"It's my own fault, really," he said. "I probably should've closed the match off earlier, five or six legs before. But it is what it is. Just happy I won."

Wade also conceded he felt desperate before being given the chance to hit the winning double, adding: "I was just praying for him to miss that last finish. He pinned a load of them, and I just thought, 'Just miss one of them.'"

He will now face Luke Littler in the final. The teenager came through his own epic final four match, beating Josh Rock 17-14 to set up a first televised final clash between him and Wade.