"It's doing my head in at the minute" - Smith admits frustration at lack of form despite opening round victory at the New Zealand Darts Masters

Michael Smith had struggled in his opening round matchup at the New Zealand Darts Masters. Nevertheless, he was too strong for Darren Penhall in the opening round 6-5.

Smith, like his opponent, stayed under 90 average. "I didn't play like I can do, I just didn't play my best game at all" Smith said post-match to Online Darts. "There was some wind on stage, I just don't want to say too much in case I get told off."

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"I was trying to tell myself 'stop looking for an excuse'. The way my darts were going into the board, I've never experienced anything like that before. Even when we play in Rotterdam for the Premier League, but I'm just happy to get through."

The 32-year-old Englishman has been disappointed with his form ever since becoming world champion. "Since I won the worlds I'm turning back into me from 2012 and it's doing my head in at the minute. But I'll figure it out. I'm trying to play like a world champion or world number one and putting too much pressure on myself. I've never had to experience this before, I'm finding it weird."

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