ROSS SMITH HOLDS ON TO REACH THE FINAL! Michael Smith nearly recovered from 6-2 down, but Ross Smith holds strong to reach the final in Leverkusen! He will face Dave Chisnall for the title at the 2024 Neo.bet European Darts Open 📺 bit.ly/PDCTVLive
Dave Chisnall and Ross Smith have advanced to the final at the European Darts Open in Leverkusen. They will decide later on Sunday evening who takes the title at the eighth Euro Tour tournament of the season.
Chisnall made quick work of Damon Heta. 'Chizzy' won the first five legs of his match against the Australian after hitting a 12-dart leg during this spell. Heta had to wait until the sixth leg to get on the scoreboard with a 15-darter.
His English opponent immediately dashed his hopes of a comeback with a 15-darter for 6-1. Chisnall then immediately ended the match with a 12-darter in the eighth leg.
For Chisnall, it is already his fourteenth Euro Tour final. Of the previous 13, six were won. Chisnall has a total of 23 ranking titles to his name in his career.
So against Smith, Chisnall gets the chance to add a 24th title. Ross Smith was too strong for Michael Smith in the second semi-final, after 'Bullyboy' came awfully close to force a decider after a huge deficit.
Ross Smith had taken a comfortable 6-2 lead earlier in the match. Michael Smith fought his way back to 6-5, but missed one chance on tops to force a final leg. Ross Smith then narrowly secured victory by hitting the double 10 with his last dart.
Smith reached the final of the Belgian Darts Open earlier this year, but had to leave the victory to Gary Anderson. Smudger' has yet to win a Euro Tour title, but has three Pro Tours and the European Championship on his record.
The European Darts Open is one of the longest running Euro Tour tournaments. The first edition was played back in 2012, when it was won by Raymond van Barneveld. Michael van Gerwen is the record winner of this tournament with five titles. In 2023, this event was won by Gerwyn Price, who beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-7 in a thrilling final.
ROSS SMITH HOLDS ON TO REACH THE FINAL! Michael Smith nearly recovered from 6-2 down, but Ross Smith holds strong to reach the final in Leverkusen! He will face Dave Chisnall for the title at the 2024 Neo.bet European Darts Open 📺 bit.ly/PDCTVLive