BULLY BOY UP AND RUNNING! It's not the start Michael Smith will have wanted, but it's a winning start and that's all that matters! The World Champion comfortably defeats Steve Beaton 10-2 to advance to round two... 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1
"I want Michael to win, I want to play Michael in the final": Smith left gutted by Van Gerwen shock loss to Dolan
PDCMonday, 17 July 2023 at 17:00
Without impressing, Michael Smith reached the second round at the World Matchplay on Sunday night. Bullyboy' beat Steve Beaton (10-2) by a large margin, but only managed an average of 89. Beaton was still well below that with an average of 81.
The reigning world champion was not at all pleased with his performance. "I came off that stage feeling like I've been beat. I had the most energy in the world, I had the most belief in the world. What the hell is going on. But it happens I guess. I've got to get over the fact that I can't play 110 averages all of the time."
"I've got to win scruffy. New lesson learned I guess."
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Earlier in the evening, rival Michael van Gerwen was eliminated by Brendan Dolan. He did not see that as a boost. "I want Michael to win, I want to play Michael in the final. I think 8/10 he normally beats me but it's a test of where I need to improve. But instead of thinking that, I could only play Michael in the final anyway. So I need to keep focused because I've got Chris Dobey next, and he is a different animal to what Steve is.
"So I need to up my game find it from somewhere and get ready for him."
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- That will tick the box making SKY happy. I presume Beau will forfeit her place in the PDC WC. I have to say, excluding Beau and occasionally Fallon the women's game is very poor at the moment, I can't see any of the current crop even winning a leg let alone a match.richieburnettrocks19-10-2024
- This is wrong. Surely the highest ranked of the two first round players should have got the second round spot with Huybrechts taking their place in the first round.Mysstree18-10-2024
- They are both legends and should be celebrated and have brought darts to where it is now. A statue should be put in Kirkcaldy for Jocky. The town has changed a lot.ListerAnderson16-10-2024
- He is a legend and should be rightfully celebrated.medinabello16-10-2024
- I would not change the format of any of the ranking events to make them double start. Grand Prix is unique and should stay that way.Mysstree15-10-2024