Michael Smith makes winning start to World Championship defence despite being pushed all the way by Kevin Doets in Ally Pally epic

On his return to the Alexandra Palace, Michael Smith has been pushed hard by Kevin Doets, but thankfully for the world number one, he had the answers required and secured a 3-2 win to reach round 3.

In a top quality opening set, the reigning world champion held off a real challenge from Doets, to break the throw in a deciding leg with a 14-darter and take an early lead at the first break of the matchup.

After the break, Doets continued at a high standard and refused to wilt. Although couldn't back successive maximums with a 141 checkout and the illusive nine-dart leg, the Dutchman punished a missed set dart from 'Bully Boy' to level up the match with his average northwards of a ton.

If Smith didn't already know he was in early peril, Doets continuing to pressure him in set 3 must have sent alarm bells through the world number one. Increasing his maximum count to six, the Dutchman took a 2-1 lead in the set before an ice-cold 72 from Smith sent the set to a decider. Under the most intense of pressures, Doets kept his cool and held throw with a 13-darter to move 2-1 clear in sets.

It wasn't as if Smith was playing badly, averaging 101 compared to Doets 105, and 'Bully Boy' took a much needed hold of throw to kick off the fourth set. With Doets waiting on a double to level up the set, Smith fired in a brilliant 121 on the bullseye and move two legs clear. Doets took leg 3, but after he missed double 16 to move a leg away from the match, Smith cleaned up 65 in two darts and levelled up the tie at two sets apiece.

Having the darts in the final set it was still advantage Doets. With the Dutchman waiting on 24 in leg one however, Smith took the advantage back himself with a stunning 142 checkout, nudging in front. A ruthless 71 checkout in leg 2 and Smith had seemingly put on the afterburners, putting himself on the edge of an epic win. After Doets missed a dart bull to save the match, he must have feared the worst. Smith though, missed two matchdarts at double 10. Although Doets was initially unable to punish, three more misses from Smith allowed the Dutchman to return again and this time he managed to prolong the match. It was nothing more than a consolation however, as Smith secured the win in the following leg, letting out a massive roar of relief.