"I don't want to be done in five years time, I want to be a Steve Beaton" - Longevity a key target for Ross Smith

Ross Smith has set up a very intriguing round 2 encounter with Michael van Gerwen at the Players Championship Finals. 'Smudger' confidently saw off Scott Williams 6-2 in the opening match of the tournament on Friday afternoon.

"I didn't think I played that well to be fair, but my average and stats say a bit different," Smith reviewed in his post-match interview with Online Darts. "I know Scott didn't play to his capability at all. Scott's an unbelievable player when he gets going, so maybe it was to do with that a bit. But yeah, at the end of the day, I'm happy with winning and progressing."

A major champion now of course, following his victory at the European Championship in 2022, Smith believes his results haven't really shown the improved level of performance he's had since that victory.

"I feel like I'm playing really well leading into this tournament again you know. My averages are high and stuff like that, but I also know averages don't win you games. But yeah, I feel like I'm doing everything right, I'm working hard and I feel like there's no reason why I can't win this or anything else," Smith says confidently. "I realize any one can beat me as well, so it's one of them but I feel really good."

"I look at Darts Orakel quite a bit and the stats are there you know. It's there in black and white that I've improved. So yeah, I'm obviously doing something right," he concludes. "For me it's about longevity not the short game. I don't want to be done in five years time, I want to be a Steve Beaton."