Dobey produces brilliant comeback against Smith to claim Third Round spot

Chris Dobey is through to the Third Round at the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after claiming victory over Jeff Smith with a brilliant comeback from the Bedlington ace.

Dobey recovered from 2-0 down to close out a 3-2 victory in sets with a 96.2 average, six 180's and four ton plus checkouts.

This included a 110 and 112 average in the final two sets which completed the turnaround.

It was a brilliant start for Smith with 'The Silencer' taking out 86 on the bull in a deciding leg to claim the opening set and put Dobey on the back foot.

He was nearly on the brink as Smith came from 2-0 down to claim a 2-0 sets lead in a deciding leg to double his advantage.

But this is when like alluded to, he started to fight. He took out 116 in the deciding leg in the third set to make it 2-1 and halve the deficit.

Smith left himself on a 10-darter in the following set to put himself level but Dobey produced a 116 checkout to double his lead. This superb fightback was almost complete as he smashed in a 98 checkout for 12-darter to claim it 3-1 and level the match.

He continued in that vein with an 88 checkout on the bull to begin the fifth set and from there with an 81 checkout for a 12-darter, he was on the brink. It was concluded with a 14 darter with Smith sitting on 40.

2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Wednesday December 16

Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)

Ryan Joyce (92.39) 3-2 (93.11) Karel Sedlacek (R1) (1-3, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1, 3-2)

Ross Smith (93.18) 3-0 (91.89) David Evans (R1) (3-1, 3-2, 3-2)

William O'Connor (88.42) 3-0 (83.37) Niels Zonneveld (R1) (3-1, 3-1, 3-1)

Chris Dobey (96.26) 3-2 (95.21) Jeff Smith (R2) (2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)