23/12/2020

Lowe dumps out fourth seed Smith in superb victory

Jason Lowe is through to the Third Round of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after dumping out fourth seed Michael Smith in a stunning display.

Smith was one of the favourites to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy at the start of January but instead he will be heading home at the first hurdle for the second straight year after a 3-1 defeat to the Cradley Heath ace.

Lowe hit seven 180's and a 96 average as he outscored and outplayed the former World finalist throughout the match.

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It was a nightmare start for Smith as Lowe outplayed ‘Bully Boy’ in the opening set sealing it without reply with two 180’s and a 96 average.

It got even worse for the World Number Four with Lowe easing to the second set and one away from a stunning victory with Smith averaging 92.7 with no 180’s and only two darts at double compared to four from the Cradley Heath ace and 6/18 on the doubles who continued to dominate.

It was finally a first leg on the board for Smith when they returned as he pinned double 10 to hold his throw as well as a first 180 en route.

Another 180 followed by a 140 saw him leave 40 with Lowe not on a finish but he pressured with a 180 only for Smith to pin double 10 again to break and go 2-0 up.

Lowe stopped the rot in the set to break back pinning double 20 last dart in hand. Smith missed 65 and despite Lowe missing 52 to hold, Smith let out anguish as he missed three at double 10 and Lowe returned for double 10 to force a deciding leg.

Smith suffered a bounceout when he looked destined for a 180 but he was left on a finish after nine darts but despite more misfortune, he let out a roar as he pinned 74 last dart in hand on double eight to win the set with Lowe sat on double 14.

The St Helens ace was first to a finish on Lowe’s throw but a 180 left 36 for the latter to lead in the fourth and he pinned it second dart for a 14-dart hold.

It started to turn again towards Lowe as he fired in a seventh 180 and double 18 to double his lead and go one away. A sublime 101 checkout finished the job off for Lowe as he dumped out Smith.