Reigning champion and world No 1 Michael Smith survives opening-round scare to make it via at Ally Pally; the World Darts Championship runs all the way in which till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – we’re again on Saturday afternoon at 12.30pm, stay on Sky Sports activities Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Final Up to date: 16/12/23 12:00am
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A glance again at a number of the greatest motion for the opening evening of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace
A glance again at a number of the greatest motion for the opening evening of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace
Defending champion and world No 1 Michael Smith started his World Darts Championship title defence with victory after surviving a scare to defeat Dutch debutant Kevin Doets on opening evening at Alexandra Palace.
Smith created world headlines along with his sensational triumph in January, producing an unbelievable nine-darter in a leg dubbed ‘the best of all-time’ on his technique to a 7-4 success towards Michael van Gerwen.
World Darts Championship: Friday’s Outcomes
Kevin Doets 3-0 Stowe Buntz (R1) Cameron Menzies 3-0 Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (R1) Simon Whitlock 3-2 Paolo Nebrida (R1) Michael Smith 3-2 Kevin Doets (R2)
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Michael Smith dug out this enormous 142 within the closing set to go away his opponent Kevin Doets shaking his head in disbelief
Michael Smith dug out this enormous 142 within the closing set to go away his opponent Kevin Doets shaking his head in disbelief
Doets, who reached the fifth spherical of this yr’s UK Open after successful his PDC Tour Card for the primary time in January 2022, dumped out Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz within the opening match of the event.
The world No 66 got here into the assembly with St Helens star Smith on a excessive, but it surely was the reigning champion who made a robust begin by sealing the opening set 3-1 with 60 per cent on the doubles.
The gifted Dutchman responded by claiming the second set in a deciding leg towards the darts for parity with a 100.3 common after Smith did not hit tops to maneuver away from his opponent.
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Smith pinned this very good 150 throughout his 3-2 victory over the Dutchman
Smith pinned this very good 150 throughout his 3-2 victory over the Dutchman
Doets, nicknamed ‘Hawk Eye’, continued to search out the goal and he regardless of an enormous 150 checkout from Smith, he produced successful legs in 12, 14 and 13 darts to maneuver inside a set of inflicting a almighty upset.
Nonetheless, Smith wrapped up set 4 3-1, together with a whopping 121 checkout to ship it the space.
Smith landed an impressive 142 checkout underneath immense stress to regain the lead within the decider and regardless of lacking 5 darts at a double, he finally claimed victory with a 67 end on tops.
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Wayne Mardle heaped reward on Smith after his shut opening win at Ally Pally
Wayne Mardle heaped reward on Smith after his shut opening win at Ally Pally
“It is one in every of them, I managed to fall over the road, no nerves, no stress, I am going to have an excellent Christmas now,” Smith advised Sky Sports activities.
Simon Whitlock, the 2010 runner-up, missed 5 darts earlier than successful a slow-burner of a contest towards former PDC Asian Championship finalist Paolo Nebrida to arrange a showdown with two-time champion Gary Anderson on Saturday night.
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Paolo Nebrida discovered checkouts of 116 and 121 however finally misplaced out to Simon Whitlock in a nervy contest
Paolo Nebrida discovered checkouts of 116 and 121 however finally misplaced out to Simon Whitlock in a nervy contest
‘The Wizard’ was pressured to dig deep to battle previous Nebrida, utilizing all of his expertise to supply an escapologist act.
Whitlock mentioned: “I’ve simply been messing round with my darts an excessive amount of. I have been like Peter Wright.”
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Whitlock credited his expertise for getting him via a razor-thin opening-round contest
Whitlock credited his expertise for getting him via a razor-thin opening-round contest
Cameron Menzies got here via a fiery encounter towards Rusty-Jake Rodriguez to achieve the second spherical.
The Scot, who’s the accomplice of Fallon Sherrock, closed out a 3-0 success over Austria’s Rodriguez with 4 180s and 50 per cent on the doubles to maneuver via.
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Rusty-Jake Rodriguez threw his darts off the desk after taking place two units to Cameron Menzies
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez threw his darts off the desk after taking place two units to Cameron Menzies
Reside World Darts Championship
December 16, 2023, 12:30pm
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Reside World Darts Championship
December 16, 2023, 7:00pm
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What’s taking place on Saturday on the World Darts Championship?
Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall headlines he motion on Saturday afternoon at Alexandra Palace
The primary double session at this yr’s event will happen, as two-time world champion Gary Anderson opens his title problem with a conflict towards Simon Whitlock.
World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Fixtures
Lee Evans vs Sandro Eric Sosing (R1) Connor Scutt vs Krzysztof Kciuk (R1) Jules van Dongen vs Darren Penhall (R1) Dave Chisnall vs Cameron Menzies (R2)
World Darts Championship: Saturday Night Fixtures
Jamie Hughes vs David Cameron (R1) Keane Barry vs Reynaldo Rivera (R1) Scott Williams vs Haruki Muramatsu (R1) Gary Anderson vs Simon Whitlock (R2)
Dave Chisnall, a 2021 semi-finalist, takes centre stage within the afternoon when he faces Cameron Menzies, whereas American No 1 Jules van Dongen makes his debut towards DPA qualifier Darren Penhall.
The game’s greatest occasion sees 96 gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace. You possibly can watch all of the motion stay on our devoted Sky Sports activities Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way in which till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – stay on Sky Sports activities Darts. NOW Sports activities Month Membership: £21 a month for six months