Michael Smith gains revenge over Chris Dobey to set up quarterfinal showdown vs Rob Cross at 2024 World Matchplay

Michael Smith has become the last man through to the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Matchplay in Blackpool after a 11-9 win over Chris Dobey on Wednesday night at the Winter Gardens.

In a rematch from the most recent World Darts Championship where Dobey ended the title reign of Smith, 'Bullyboy' was in no mood for a similar disappointment on this occasion, racing into a 4-0 lead early on. Although Dobey took the last leg of the opening session, there was much work to done for 'Hollywood'.

After the break, Dobey continued to build momentum, taking a second successive leg to get back to 4-2 down, and although Smith did take the next two legs and threatened to run clear again at 6-2, Dobey continued to scrap, taking the last two legs of the session and heading off stage still very much in contact with his good friend at 6-4 down.

Smith fired clear again at the start of the third session, despite a 170 from Dobey, 'Bullyboy' managed to move 8-5 clear. Then though, the former world champion blew eight darts for a 9-5 advantage in leg 14 and Dobey punished, backing that up in the following leg to get to 8-7. After Smith moved another closer in leg 16, another big ton plus, this time 140, kept the former Masters champion one behind at 9-8. With Dobey then missing a dart at the bullseye for a match levelling 135, Smith pinned double 10 to hold throw and get to the brink of victory. Dobey held his throw in leg 19, forcing Smith to throw for it and although far from spectacular, Smith eventually did so with a 19-darter.

The tournament will be broadcast in full live in UK on Sky Sports throughout. From Saturday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 18, the broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. In addition, there will be an afternoon session on Sunday, July 14, starting at 1 p.m.

After the second round, the start time of the evening sessions moves up one hour. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will thus be broadcast from 20:00. On Sunday afternoon, July 21, the third edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled from 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies compete for the title at the most important women's tournament at the PDC.