WADE SENDS SMITH PACKING ⚙️ 18 wins on the trot in the group stages for Michael Smith, but the reigning Champion is OUT as he loses to James Wade! ❌ Wade tops the group, and Ratajski goes through in second place in Group A. 📺 bit.ly/GSODLive #GSOD | Group A
Defending champion Michael Smith OUT of Grand Slam of Darts, sent packing by James Wade
PDCMonday, 13 November 2023 at 23:30
James Wade has dethroned defending champion Michael Smith at the Grand Slam of Darts. 'Bullyboy' had won his first two group matches, but due to his defeat against 'The Machine', the world champion was dumped out.
Smith had not worked sufficiently on his leg balance with his wins against Krzysztof Ratajski (5-4) and Nathan Girvan (5-2). Because Ratajski had won 5-1 against Girvan earlier in the evening, the match between Wade and Smith suddenly turned into a decider.
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The difference was made on the doubles. Smith missed one chance in the second and third leg, and saw it go to Wade, who led 1-2 as a result. In leg four, Smith again missed a chance on the bullseye, after which Wade threw out 41 to make it 3-1.
Smith even had three chances in the fifth leg, but missed double 20 three times. Those misses proved fatal for him. Wade hit 50 for 4-1 and then sealed the verdict with a 14-darter.
In Group B, Chris Dobey finished second behind Josh Rock. In a straight shootout, Dobey was too strong for Jonny Clayton, who is dumped out also.
DOBEY BATTLES INTO LAST 16 ⚪️⚫️ Chris Dobey gets the better of Jonny Clayton to reach the Last 16 and finish second in Group B. 📺 bit.ly/GSODLive #GSOD | Group B
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UndartedWaters18-11-2024 - Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024
- Say what? It happens in other countries; Littler in January - this year (Holland), go and watch the evidence on YouTube. If it is going to be done to English players, then we are more than entitled to dish the same back when players face off in England. When it happened to Littler in Holland in January... where was your outrage then? ABE attitude.MrYnyslas197117-11-2024
- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.UndartedWaters16-11-2024