25/07/2020

Anderson denies Smith in tie-break thriller to reach World Matchplay final

Gary Anderson is on the verge of winning a second World Matchplay title after becoming the first player to reach the final in Milton Keynes with a 18-16 victory over Michael Smith.

Anderson will face Glen Durrant or Dimitri van den Bergh on Sunday evening; he could yet defend his prize money from two years ago; which would have seen a slide in the rankings. Statistics wise; he averaged 98 with seven 180's and three ton-plus finishes in a thrilling tie.

After a close start in which Anderson registered his first 180 to lead 3-2; it was looking ominous from the former as he opened up a four leg lead after the break to lead 7-3 and force his protege to battle back.

Anderson went further clear at 8-3; but Smith began to battle back claiming three on the spin including a break to suddenly go two behind at 8-6.

At the next interval, Smith was 8-7 up winning four legs in a row to bring himself back into contention. Anderson returned well with a 127 on the bull to break back; but Smith claimed a 12-darter of his own to go 9-9.

The former edged back in front at 10-9 and at the break he took out 128 to move two clear again and keep himself ahead. It was five consecutive legs for Anderson; as he went clear at 14-9 up after the break.

It went back and forth again with Bully Boy not finished yet making it four in a row to go one behind at 14-13 after looking like he was close to heading out. He was asking the question of Anderson and had the throw to make it parity at 14-14.

Smith despite fluffing his lines twice to break pinned double one to lead 15-14. He missed the bull for a 90 checkout and Anderson returned for an exquisite 116 to break back immediately.

Smith missed double 20 to break again and Anderson went one away but two 180's in a leg saw further fight from the St Helens ace as he sent it to overtime.

Anderson held his throw to go one away. Smith couldn't make any inroads and Anderson left a 170 and followed it up with a 134 set up shot with the former failing to hit a 141 and he pinned double 18 first time to move through.

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