Gibraltar Darts Trophy Preview: Day One, Afternoon Session

The Gibraltar Darts Trophy begins on Friday with a famous face returning to end a notorious curse.

Ross Smith hasn't made huge waves in darts, but he has a special place in European Tour history. It was in the inaugural Gibraltar Darts Trophy that Smith struck a nine-darter against Adrian Lewis. That was five years ago. Incredibly, the PDC's continental circuit hasn't seen a perfect leg since. After his own two-year hiatus, the 29-year-old returns to action. He'll take on former finalist and semi-finalist Jamie Lewis in the final match of the afternoon.
There are seven ties to be played before that, however. In the first of them, Krzysztof Ratajski meets Michael Barnard, with a game against Peter Wright at stake. Jeffrey de Graaf, already a winner on the Pro Tour this year, is after another impressive run. He plays Darius Labanauskas, back in PDC action following a brief dip back into the BDO at the World Trophy. Brendan Dolan has the chance to meet World Cup team-mate Daryl Gurney in round two. First he must defeat James Wilson.
Matt Padgett and Mike De Decker go head-to-head next, before Andy Boulton locks horns with Ritchie Edhouse. The first of the four Gibraltan qualifiers, Roy Asquez, meets German Hannes Schnier. Toni Alcinas and Steve West are matched up in what should be an intriguing tie, before Smith's encounter with Lewis.
The Gibraltar Darts Trophy commences at 12pm, and will be broadcast on PDC TV.
Click here for more information about the Gibraltar Darts Trophy (History, previous winners, Prize fund etc.)

Afternoon session schedule

Krzysztof Ratajski v Michael Barnard Jeffrey de Graaf v Darius Labanauskas Brendan Dolan v James Wilson Matt Padgett v Mike De Decker Andy Boulton v Ritchie Edhouse Hannes Schnier v Roy Asquez Toni Alcinas v Steve West Jamie Lewis v Ross Smith