Michael Smith recovers to ease past Gary Anderson in hotly anticipated World Matchplay clash

Protege beats master as Michael Smith has recovered from 3-0 down to dispatch 2018 champion, Gary Anderson in a 10-5 win. He pinned a 102 average for a place in Round Two at the 2024 World Matchplay.

Anderson was poor on the doubles going 29.4% (5/17) and despite Smith missing 16 darts at a double, 'The Flying Scotsman' missed them at a pivotal juncture of the tie when he was in head for an extended lead and the match could've been very different. But instead Smith heads through after a lauded tie second up on Monday night.

Now onto an even more lauded tie as Luke Littler faces off against Michael van Gerwen, Smith survives though out of the first of two standout clashes of Monday night though while Anderson faces another major disappointment. He has not been able to turn his ProTour form into major form.

A 101 checkout from Anderson saw him break early and with Smith missing the chance to break back, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ made it 2-0. A 92 checkout tripled his lead at 3-0. Anderson missed darts for 4-0 and 4-1 and Smith made it 3-2. Smith hit an 84 checkout for 3-3.

He suddenly led hitting double eight for 4-3. Anderson missed 84 on the bull for 4-4 and Smith hit 70 on double four for 5-3. He hit double eight again for 6-3. He cleaned up 96 to make it 7-3 and head towards the finish. Smith missed 170 for 8-3 and Anderson finally stopped the rot for 7-4.

Smith hit double 12 to go to 8-4 and was throwing to go one away. An 81 checkout made it 9-4 to Smith. Anderson made it 9-5 pinning double 20 with Smith throwing for the match. He concluded it with a 90 checkout going treble 20, double 15.