Dirk van Duijvenbode prevails against Ross Smith in sudden death PDC World Darts Championship classic with combined record 31 180's
PDC
Dirk van Duijvenbode will face his compatriot, Michael van Gerwen in a standout Last 16 tie after a true Ally Pally classic at the PDC World Darts Championship as 'The Titan' prevailed in a 4-3 sets win against Ross Smith which featured a record of 31 180's.
ADVERTISEMENT
It also featured five missed match darts from 'Smudger' who will be ruing his luck after defeat in one of the best matches seen in recent years on the Ally Pally stage.
After both had fired up walk-ons, Smith started superbly with a 156 checkout. He missed two darts to break and Van Duijvenbode smashed in a 136 checkout in response.
Smith missed two darts to hold and Van Duijvenbode broke on double four at 2-1. An 89 checkout on double five saw him seal the set.
Smith missed 127 but returned with Van Duijvenbode chasing around for 88 and hit double eight for a hold at 1-1. Smith snuck double 16 in the corner for a break.
Van Duijvenbode missed two darts to break and Smith took the set. The former took control again with an 11-darter with both continuing to smash in 180’s but Van Duijvenbode taking some breathing room.
Smith handed Van Duijvenbode a shot at 90 but he couldn’t pin it only for ‘Smudger’ to miss more darts and the Dutchman made it 2-1 with the next set being one he starts in.
ADVERTISEMENT
But he missed the bull for 87 and Smith hit double 18 to break. He pinned it again for 2-0. Both hit 180’s with Van Duijvenbode down to 87 albeit with Smith sat on 41.
Van Duijvenbode pinned it though forcing Smith to serve out the set which he did after the former missed a set dart.
Smith hit his 10th and Van Duijvenbode his seventh maximum but it was the former who led the fifth set. He went one away from a 3-2 sets lead. But a 114 checkout saw Van Duijvenbode send it to a decider.
Van Duijvenbode restricted himself to one dart from 52 though messing up and handing Smith a shot to win the set which he didn’t take.
Van Duijvenbode missed more set darts and Smith returned for double four to seal it. Van Duijvenbode though took a 2-0 lead in the following set as he looked to send it all the way.
ADVERTISEMENT
An 87 checkout on double 18 saw Smith break back as he looked to send it to a decider. He couldn’t get a shot at 111 but returned with Van Duijvenbode capitulating on 71.
A 72 checkout saw Smith send it all the way. He hit his 13th 180 but fluffed his lines on 130 but 76 was missed by Van Duijvenbode. Smith missed 87 on the bull and Van Duijvenbode hit double four to send it all the way.
Smith struck first with a 14th 180 and double 20. Van Duijvenbode hit an 85 checkout with Smith waiting to break on double six.
Smith hit back-to-back 180’s and double 16 to go one away. He hit a 17th 180 but fluffed his lines on 92 but Van Duijvenbode did too on 68.
Smith missed three match darts and Van Duijvenbode sent it to a tiebreak. The former equalled the record with 29 in all, 18 of which hit by Smith.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was a 19th for Smith who left Van Duijvenbode in the dust pinning double 20 to go one away. But the Dutchman made it 3-3. He made it 4-4 with a 127. Smith went 5-4 up though meaning he’d definitely throw for it.
A 76 checkout saw Van Duijvenbode send it to sudden death. Smith missed 89 on double five for the match and Van Duijvenbode hit 71 for the match.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 8visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026