De Sousa latest through to Last 16 at UK Open after scrappy deciding leg win over Smith
PDCSaturday, 06 March 2021 at 16:20
Jose de Sousa is through to the Last 16 at the UK Open for the first time after seeing off Michael Smith in a 10-9 victory.
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It was a scrappy victory which saw both players garner momentum at times in the tie but it was 'The Special One' who narrowly won through.
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It was one way traffic for De Sousa to begin the tie with 'The Special One' heading into a 4-1 lead at the first interval leaving Smith with a lot of work to do.
He continued to punish mistakes from Smith with 'Bully Boy' missing a dart at double five for an 89 checkout.
De Sousa returned to break and go 5-1 up and consolidated that with a hold to make it 6-1 but this is where the tie began to get interesting.
A missed dart at double 20 from 72 saw Smith return and break and go 6-3 down. He followed that up with a hold to make it 6-4 at the next interval.
De Sousa couldn't pin 64 to hold but returned to the board after Smith messed up on the same checkout. He hit double four to make it 7-4 and edge closer to the finishing line.
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Smith was frustrated at missing three at double 20 to hold but De Sousa couldn't pin double two and he was back for a clutch double five to hold and make it 7-5.
This saw momentum gained as he claimed a 74 checkout to break and go 7-6 behind.
He left 45 from 170 but missed two darts to hold. A 120 checkout wasn't to be for De Sousa but he returned for a 55 checkout to break back at 8-6 up.
A 12-darter in the form of a 100 checkout to make it 9-8 saw Smith back in the tie though as he brought it back again.
A 65 checkout saw him send it all the way in a befitting end to a quality tie. De Sousa had the throw though and a 180 and 56 checkout saw him edge through.
Schedule 2021 UK Open Darts
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Saturday March 6 (12:30 GMT)
Fifth Round
Main Stage
Rob Cross (101.8) 7-10 (97.5) James Wade
Gerwyn Price (98.66) 10-3 (92.37) Ricky Evans
Michael Smith (90.6) 9-10 (93.2) Jose de Sousa
Michael van Gerwen v Mensur Suljovic
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