"I've let him walk all over me": Michael Smith looks to flip Van Gerwen script at World Matchplay with redemption in mind

Michael Smith will face Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals of the 2024 World Matchplay on Saturday evening after a comprehensive win over Rob Cross 16-7.

Smith has warned Van Gerwen that he is gunning for redemption after a crushing 2019 final loss to the Green Machine. But his Quarter-Final was a game that he admits he failed initially to take by the scruff of the neck.

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"I was going up on stage thinking Rob's going to smash me here. He's going to play really well, I need to do something really special here tonight. I've got to find the trebles and doubles quick. That first session went to plan for me but not to plan for Rob and then I won the next session again 4-1. Was just thinking the guy's missing doubles, I've got to step up. I know the scoreline shows it being comfy there but Rob missed so many shots. I just put my added pressure on myself that I didn't need to. If I would've relaxed and Rob would've relaxed, maybe it would've been a different game but just glad to be sat here now being in the semi's," said Smith.

But onto the next few games and Smith doesn't see anything in basing his preparation on recent Van Gerwen form and said that he doesn't care who's in the final as long as he's there.

"We both tried immensely hard to win the match and we didn't find it. But Michael played Andrew who is a bit methodical and slow and that's not him. Rob is the same. He could take his time or he kicks the oche a few times. Me and Michael is just going to be like going in circles. He could come tomorrow and average 104 and I could do the same. But we can't base anything on tonight."

"I don't care who's in the final as long as I make the final. If it's Luke or James Wade but as long as Michael Smith's name is on the sheet on Sunday, it's all I'm bothered about. It doesn't matter who I'm playing. As long as I'm there trying to get myself some redemption from 2019, it's all I'm bothered about. So many times I've played Van Gerwen I've let him walk all over me."