James Wade’s World Matchplay semi-final was unrivalled entertainment for neutral observers.But for the 42-year-old, it was far less enjoyable.Wade has not reached the World Matchplay final since 2015Getty‘The Machine’ overcame Jonny Clayton 20-18 in a marathon encounter to book his spot in a sixth final at the Winter Gardens, where he will face reigning world champion Luke Littler.It will be the second time the pair have faced off in a final this year, with Littler overcoming his elder rival 11-2 to win the UK Open in March.Despite the euphoria of winning an instant classic in Blackpool and the imminent prospect of exacting revenge on the teen, the only thought on Wade’s mind in his post-match interview with talkSPORT was the physical and mental toll it had taken on him.Wade said: “Just knackered, absolutely knackered.“I should’ve got him [Clayton] out of the way much, much quicker. But I also escaped it at the same time.“When he was going for that last shot, I was like, ‘Please miss, please miss, please miss’. When he missed I thought, ‘I’ve got you now.’ That’s how it was.”To underline the gruelling nature of the match, Wade and Clayton went toe-to-toe for 18 legs without a break at the end.It didn’t help proceedings that Wade, who was one leg away from victory at 16-10, watched a comfortable win slip right out of his hands as Clayton rattled off six legs on the bounce to level proceedings.When asked about the mid-match collapse, Wade said: “I lost focus and I wasn’t in the same room. That’s the reality. “I probably should have sorted it out much, much quicker.”The 42-year-old blew a six-leg lead but recovered just when he needed toGettyA ‘genuinely knackered’ Wade added: “I think that’s probably one of the most enduring games I’ve played with the least rewards because I should have done better, quicker, faster. “But I didn’t. I just managed to hang on.”Wade was also in no mood to discuss the entertainment factor of the contest given what it had taken out of him.“You can stick all the entertainment up your a***,” Wade cheekily said.“Like I say, I’m genuinely, and I don’t think people realise, I’m exhausted after that. I’m absolutely done, bamboozled.“I can’t give you the right answer because I’m just knackered. I just want to go to bed, drink a load of water. I’m absolutely f*****.talkSPORTWade couldn’t wait to get his head on a pillow[/caption]“I’ve got nothing to give in an interview. I’m s*****d, absolutely s*****d.”Wade and Littler’s World Matchplay final showdown gets underway from 8pm and talkSPORT has darts fans sorted with live coverage of the event.To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.