Smith after opening round win at Dutch Darts Championship: "It's nice to win in Michael van Gerwen's back garden"

After taking the night win in the Premier League on Thursday, Michael Smith continued his winning streak with a 6-4 victory over Jim Williams on Saturday at the Dutch Darts Championship.

The winner of the European Tour event last year, Smith admits the chance to win in the homeland of his great rival is an added incentive. "It's nice to win in Michael van Gerwen's back garden," the reigning world champion revealed in a post match interview with Darts Actueel. "Just to say to Michael you know, I'm here as well."

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Schedule and preview Sunday afternoon session 2023 Dutch Darts Championship including Smith-Wright and Chisnall-Rock

Since becoming world champion Smith has had an incredibly busy schedule, one he admits has taken a toll on him. "Since I won the world's I've not had a day where I can look at my wife or my friends and go 'you know what we've done it," he laments. "But them five days in Vegas were brilliant. Chilled out, no one asking for pictures, no one asking for interviews and I was Michael Smith, not the dart player just Michael Smith."

Next up for Bully Boy in the defence of Dutch Darts Championship crown is a third round tie against fellow Premier League player, Peter Wright.

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Tournament Centre 2023 Dutch Darts Championship: Schedule of play, results, TV Guide and prize money breakdown