"I'm going to be like the Elephant Man tomorrow" - Ross Smith stung three times by the infamous 'Ally Pally Wasp' after reaching third round
PDC
Ross Smith successfully ensured his post-Christmas Ally Pally return on Wednesday afternoon with a 3-1 win over Niels Zonneveld.
Hitting seven maximums, averaging over 95 and reeling in the 'Big Fish', it was a solid start to the World Championship for Smith. Nevertheless, post-match he wasn't totally convinced by his own performance. "I'm just happy with the win. I wouldn't say I've played that great. I've come off there thinking it was a lot worse than it is and maybe I'm a little too hard on myself," he explained in his post-match press conference.
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It was actually a few words from a former two-time World Championship semi-finalist that cheered 'Smudger' up. "Chris Mason just said to me then that I've played half decent so a 95 average, even though it felt like an 85, I'm happy. I know I don't look very happy, but I'm happy with the win because I can go to Christmas now and enjoy it."
After surviving the attack of Zonneveld, Smith was pounced upon by the infamous 'Ally Pally Wasp' in his post-match interview, the insect seemingly back from the dead after being stamped on by Luke Humphries a few days ago. "I got stung three times!" Smith says. "I'm going to be like the Elephant Man tomorrow. It went ping, ping, ping and flew off. Luckily it's on my left hand."
Post-match Smith was also seen celebrating with his young son in some heart-warming scenes. "The first time Archie is ever come and watched me play so to win in front of him was so important. I'm so pleased to win in front of him and I had him in the practice room with me because I was quite nervy but him being there relaxed me."
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- More roid rage than nonsenserichieburnettrocks18-12-2024
- Even the wild crowd went easy on him... we really have gone soft in this country. He should now play in the men's events and try and recover a smidgen of respect, rather than take advantage of the women's game.MrYnyslas197118-12-2024
- The bloke wouldn't get any abuse if he just earned his way in instead of putting on lipstick and larping as a bird.thebogeyman17-12-2024
- Imagine what he'd be like if he done it on TV.medinabello15-12-2024
- Moot point Wattemina will beat him anyways so he will have an early Xmas after all.medinabello15-12-2024
- Grow up mate it's a game of darts surely a player has the capacity to play more than 1 best of 5 set match in one evening.medinabello15-12-2024
- Modus will be good for him. Great comp.medinabello15-12-2024
- I'm with Asp here. If they moan about it don't pick them. Simple as.medinabello15-12-2024
- We don't need the Saudi's money and prohibitive laws. Simply take the World's to other countries like Germany, Holland, Scotland, Poland, Belgium. Not only will you get sell out crowds with bigger venues but it will also freshen up the comp a bit. Let's face it Ally Pally is getting a bit boring now. Imagine 10,000 in Berlin, Rotterdam, Brussels etc.medinabello15-12-2024
- Am probably going to be in a small minority, i would not miss the walk ons, best part used to be the lovely ladies which obviously now makes me a misogynist. Its all part of the razzamatazz show business side and its not that long so not something that winds me up however some of the walk on choices are abysmal while some work, MVG and Seven Nation Army being an example. Dimi the Dancer is / was just awful and Peter Wrights is old hat now.Mysstree14-12-2024