Smith crashes out in World Darts Championship upset as he surrenders No 1 title

29 December 2023 , 22:53

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Michael Smith has seen his Ally Pally ambitions ended

Michael Smith has been dethroned as world champion as he fell victim to an upset at Alexandra Palace.

The defending champion was hammered by Chris Dobey as he put in a below par display, eventually losing 4-0. It means Smith will not see out 2023 as the World No 1 after missing eight of his 12 shots at a double with Michael Van Gerwen taking on that title.

Dobey, who recently became a father for a second time, insisted he was poised to stick around after a ruthless display when it came to checking out with Smith managing to match his scoring power as both men averaged more than 102.

The underdog said after his win: “I'm not looking forward to the next time I play Michael! To be honest he missed a lot of doubles and let me in. I didn’t feel too good up here tonight, I was a bit nervy - maybe it was because I was playing another good friend.

“But on the biggest stage of them all, him being world No.1 and world champion, the occasion got to us a little bit. I just kept my calm and battled through. He was banging in 180s for fun early doors. I thought, 'I’m going to have to wake up. I think my doubling helped me tonight and now I’m in another quarter-final.

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“It’s a great feeling but we’ve had many battles, he’s battered me numerous times. It’s just nice to get another one back on him. He’ll come back from that, he’s bigger and better than that. I wouldn’t have turned up here at the start of the competition if I didn’t believe I could win it. I’m still in, who knows?”

Chris Dobey secured a shock victory

Elsewhere at Ally Pally Van Gerwen made light work of Stephen Bunting with teenage sensation Luke Littler taking on Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night. Littler's success story has seen the spotlight slightly taken away from Van Gerwen, but he remains content with his showing.

"We all knew Stephen Bunting was playing phenomenal darts," he said. "You have to show your best game. I don't think I showed my best game but in patches I did right things in the right moments. I am pleased with my game.

"We have still got a long time to go but I am feeling good. Of course, I miss my kids, I miss my wife, but it is part of the game. Now I have to concentrate on 1st January and nothing can be in my way."

Mike Walters