"I've been around long enough now to deal with it": Michael Smith details sudden change to opponent after Dom Taylor doping drama
PDC
Michael Smith had a late change in opponent with 'Bully Boy' surviving match darts in a win over Nick Kenny. Albeit it wasn't initially the Welshman who was on his radar with Dom Taylor replaced late.
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The rising star tested positive for a banned substance just before he was due to play Smith and with his current form not being the best anyway, it wasn't really ideal as he nearly was slumped out of the tournament by the Welshman.
"The crowd was ok, they were good. It was just my own fault 4-0 up, was it seven darts at 5-0. Just trying my best to speed up and find a natural rhythm. The faster I go the better I get and then I was going even faster and started missing on the doubles. I'm trying to find that fine balance at the minute. Even the first leg I kicked off with 134, 140, then 49, 40 something. That's just been the inconsistency with my game, I'm a bit annoyed the way it's going," said Smith to Online Darts.
"I just want to play well. The way I'm practicing, I'm banging 180's in for fun. I'm staying away from doubles because everytime I practice doubles I miss them."
He detailed about the Taylor incident that it is still the same mindset and that he was texted by his manager prior to the match about it. But that it is perhaps a shame that Nick Kenny wasn't able to get more preparation had he known about this a few weeks ago.
"I put on Instagram I've got a different opponent today but it's still the same mindset. Just to go out and play well and win. I played well in patches, don't know how but I did. You get over the line and it happens. Can't change what's happened. If they knew he was going to be kicked out a week or two weeks ago and give Nick (Kenny) a bit more time. It's one of them."
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"My manager text me saying don't put anything online yet but you're going to have a new opponent in five minutes. I'm still on the same time, I've still got the same preparation. I've been around long enough now to deal with it. It's the first time it's ever happened to me in a tournament, but you've still been around long enough to deal with them situations."
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
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