"Darts without Gary Anderson is a big loss" - Michael Smith full of praise after bringing Flying Scotsman's World Matchplay campaign to a halt

Michael Smith navigated past what was a potentially tricky tie in the first round of the 2024 World Matchplay. 'Bullyboy' defeated former Matchplay champion Gary Anderson 10-5 on Monday night.

Smith didn't start too well, however, and quickly found himself 3-0 down. Regrouping early though, the former world champion was able to completely reverse the early situation of concern. “I was 3-0 down and I wasn’t playing well," reflected Smith post-match. “I was trying too hard early on. I have so much respect for Gary. I used to be in the same management stable as him and we’re still really good friends.”

"I went backstage went to the toilet, had a quick word with myself and said; 'you need to step up now, you need to do something right.' I come out, won the next five legs and yeah, the rest is history," he continues. "Everything was going in perfectly and I just took my chances."

What may also have helped Smith, was Gary Anderson's becoming embroiled with the crowd. After the now typical 'Scotland get battered, everywhere they go' chants, Anderson responded by raising his fingers in a 2-1 gesture, a reference to England losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain. "I seen him out the corner of my eye and then the crowd booed him. But all the way through that match, he was hearing 'Scotland get battered', 'three up and you messed it up' and I was actually trying to shush the crowd," Smith explains. "When me and Gary are on form and we're going at a certain pace and we're playing well, there's no better game. I'm not just saying that because I've won, but there isn't and I was trying to tell the crowd just let him play."

Smith also had some very kind words to say for his former mentor. "Darts without Gary Anderson is a big loss," Smith says when asked about a potential retirement for 'The Flying Scotsman'. "Gary Anderson is something special. We need him in darts!"

In the second round, Chris Dobey lies in wait for 'BullyBoy', the man who ended Smith's reign as world champion at the Alexandra Palace last December. “It doesn’t matter what’s happened previously,” concludes the 2023 World Champion. “I’m not after revenge against Chris, I’m here to play darts and entertain the crowd. That’s what I’m all about.”