16 December 2023 , 11:12
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Rusty-Jake Rodriguez failed to keep his emotions in check as he mistakenly threw a dart off the stage during his defeat to Cameron Menzies.
Rodriguez's loss came during the first round of the World Darts Championship, which got underway at the Alexandra Palace in London on Friday. Menzies eased to a 3-0 victory against his Austrian rival, with fans applauding the Scot's lively on-stage antics.
Menzies, who is dating Queen of the Palace Fallon Sherrock, got the boisterous Ally Pally crowd on his side during his emphatic victory. Rodriguez's frustration told after the second set, as he threw his darts down on the table. One of them even landed off the stage.
Menzies wasn't the only star to reach the last 64 of the World Championship, with Kevin Doets storming to a 3-0 victory against Stowe Buntz. There was also a victory for Simon Whitlock, as the 2010 runner-up edged Paolo Nebrida 3-2 in a nervy contest.
Yet the star attraction on the first night of the tournament was defending champion and World No.1 Michael Smith, who took on Doets after the latter's victory earlier in the evening. As one of the 32 seeded players, Smith entered in the second round.
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Most fans inside the Ally Pally expected Bully Boy to easily beat Doets... but darts is rarely that simple. The Dutch outsider took a shock 2-1 lead - leaving fans wondering if an upset was on the cards - but Smith fought back to show why he is the world champion.
Michael Smith just managed to get over the line in his second-round clash (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the World Darts Championship? Let us know in the comments below!
"I had to keep battling and keep fighting," Smith told Sky Sports. "And I managed to fall over the line... I think I played well for the last six, seven, eight legs."
Smith will now have to wait to find out who he plays in the third round, which takes place after Christmas. Whitlock will take on two-time champion Gary Anderson in the second round, while Menzies will need to get the better of Dave Chisnall to stay involved.
Cameron Menzies is hoping to enjoy a fairy-tale run at the World Darts Championship (Getty Images)Menzies has quickly become a fans' favourite at the Ally Pally thanks to his big personality. The 34-year-old is a part-time darts player and works as a plumber in his day job. He even worked a half-shift on Friday morning before travelling to Ally Pally.
Menzies may pack in the plumbing if he goes on a run at the World Championship. He's already guaranteed to take home a cheque of £15,000 and that amount will jump to £25,000 if he beats Chisnall. The winner of the tournament will pocket £500,000.
"I never thought this would happen," Menzies told Sky Sports. "I was really panicky today. I was working but it kind of chilled me out, it made me realise that darts is a hobby and a very lucky one, too. My job is basically burst pipes and blocked drains, it's not pretty.
"I would like to be in a situation where I can give up my job and do this full-time, but I have a long way to go. I was so nervous, I knew that game meant a lot. What happens now is a bonus but winning that game meant the world to me."