Another big name has fallen at the PDC World Darts Championship with Ross Smith dismissed by Paolo Nebrida on the Ally Pally stage who continued to dazzle with a 3-0 straight sets triumph.
Martin Schindler last game was dismantled by Callan Rydz and it was an abject day at the office for 'Smudger' who was well beaten by the PDC Asian Tour standout in the end.
Appearing at three consecutive PDC World Darts Championships, it is finally this year that the player known as 'Pow' has shone.
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Nebrida was in the mood to pounce on errors from Smith who at time has been sublime this year and others fairly error strewn and not at his best. He wasn't to open up as the Filipino sealed the set. Smith squandered a dart at double 20 for the set in the deciding leg and Nebrida made no mistake at the same target to go in front.
His utter dismal display akin to Schindler on the outer ring continued as 'Smudger' faltered. He missed two on double 10 for the set and Nebrida did the rest. He pinned double 20 to double his lead with Smith sat at 4/16 on the doubles.
Nebrida began the third with a 118 checkout after more misses and broke for 2-0 but Smith broke back and held to send it to a decider once more albeit one where Nebrida had the throw.
Smith missed 103 to stay in the tournament and Nebrida took aim at 48 and he pinned double 16 in the left hand corner to stun 'Smudger'. Another huge upset at the PDC World Darts Championship as yet another big name not performing falters.
He will face the winner of the next game between Gary Anderson and Jeffrey de Graaf. Will 'The Flying Scotsman' add to the seed cull or will he dazzle on the big stage and set up a Nebrida tie?
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— Live Darts (@livedarts) December 22, 2024
Paolo Nebrida pulls off a huge upset as he punishes a wretched display of finishing from Ross Smith to dump out the 19th seed in straight sets!@paddypower | #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/niTrIkog9I