"I just wanted to get on my knees and pray: 'Please let him miss again'" – Michael Smith’s fairytale comeback continues after last-leg drama with Chris Dobey

Michael Smith’s road back to the top of world darts hasn’t been smooth, but his 10–9 win over Chris Dobey in the Grand Slam of Darts last 16 felt like a small miracle.

The former World Champion and Grand Slam of Darts winner, still battling long-term injuries and self-doubt, somehow survived a chaotic finale in Wolverhampton to book his place in the quarter-finals — and keep his comeback dream alive.

The match ended in pandemonium. Both Smith and Dobey missed match darts in a nerve-shredding decider, with “Bully Boy” admitting he was praying for a lifeline as the finishing line loomed.

“I just wanted to get on my knees and pray to God,” Smith said in his post-match press conference afterwards. “I was like, ‘Please let him miss again.’ Someone was on my side tonight and I’ll take it.”

Smith had every reason to be relieved. Dobey had led for most of the tie, opening up a 4–2 advantage with a 15-darter and holding firm as the St Helens ace struggled for rhythm. But Smith dug in, breaking back on double 16 for 5–4 and later pinning an 86 checkout to move ahead for the first time.

Even then, chaos ruled. Dobey levelled on double two, Smith moved 9–8 clear, only to falter again as “Hollywood” forced a decider. When both men missed a string of darts to win it, the drama reached breaking point. Finally, after nine missed match darts between them, Smith found double four — and with it, redemption.

Smith’s return to TV darts has been marked by frustration. His wrist, shoulder and foot injuries have all hampered his practice and performance, but mentally, he insists he’s still the same competitor who won the World Championship and was world number one just a few years ago.

“I’ve always believed I can win tournaments,” he said. “I might not be physically fit, but mentally I’m still the same person. That’s what annoys me most — I’m not hitting what I should be hitting, but I’ve still got the mental strength for it.”

Even so, Smith admitted he’s far from his best. His average of 88.3 was well below par, but he’s finding ways to survive — something the old Michael Smith often couldn’t do.

“I’ve been hanging on in every game,” he admitted. “I’ve not once dominated or played well, but I’m still here. Maybe I just need to start enjoying it again and stop being so hard on myself.”

Smith now faces world number one Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals — a rematch of their group-stage clash, which Humphries won in style. Humphries himself has been playing through neck pain this week, though Smith couldn’t resist a cheeky quip.

“He’s not going up there injured averaging 117, is he?” Smith joked. “He’s all strapped up and stuff — I wish I was that injured! But look, it’ll be a good game. He’s had a nice rest, and I’ll get back to my hotel, put the machine on my foot, chill out, and get ready.”

Smith confirmed his kids may join him on Friday if the logistics work — something he said helps him relax on stage. “It’d be nice to have them there. They tell me off if I’m sulking or missing, so it keeps me grounded.”

For Smith, Wolverhampton holds a special place. It was the site of his first televised semi-final, his first major title — and, perhaps now, the rebirth of a champion learning to trust himself again.

“I just love coming here,” he said. “This was where it all started for me. The fans, the venue — it’s just special. I might not be playing great, but I’m winning, and that’s all that matters right now.”

After 18 bruising months, a broken body, and a flickering belief, Michael Smith is back in the Grand Slam quarter-finals. It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be. For the first time in a long time, he’s surviving — and smiling.