Smith battles back to survive Gilding scare in first tie-break of 2022 World Matchplay

PDC
Sunday, 17 July 2022 at 18:03
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Michael Smith for many is a pick to win this year's World Matchplay but he nearly fell at the hands of Andrew Gilding in the opening round with 'Bully Boy' having to come from 8-4 down to seal an 11-9 tie-break win.
Smith produced a 98.2 average, six 180's and 58% on the doubles with sheer relief etched upon his face after surviving an almighty scare with Dirk van Duijvenbode next up.
Gilding was solid to begin the tie and stole an early break despite initially busting 64 hitting double 20 to go 1-0 up. A 180 from ‘Goldfinger’ and 136 to leave double 20 but he spurned multiple hold opportunities and Smith broke back immediately with a 70 checkout for 1-1.
A 120 to leave 20 from 180 saw Smith en route to a 2-1 lead and the first hold. But Gilding found his range to turn it around and seal an 11-dart break into the interval after a 104 checkout.
He continued to punish an out of sorts Smith going 5-2 up and was throwing for a 6-2 lead which would put Smith in real trouble.
Gilding though missed 106 on double 20 and after a superb set up shot, Smith pinned 60 to make it 5-3 and he was throwing to go one behind.
Gilding produced another maximum on Smith’s throw as he looked to ramp up the pressure again. A superb 170 setup left 91 for Gilding but Smith pinned a 161 checkout on the bull to hold to not give him a chance.
As usual set in his ways, Gilding recomposed himself to throw for a 6-4 lead hitting double five to do so and it was two 3-2 mini session wins for the Suffolk thrower. 
On return from the break, a fourth 180 and double 20 saw Gilding go three clear before consolidating with another blow in the form of a 130 checkout to lead 8-4.
Smith hit double 20 to stop the rot at 8-5 down. Gilding missed a 74 checkout for a 9-5 lead and Smith broke throw at 8-6 down.
Both exchanged maximums with Smith hitting a 140 to leave 85 which he missed on the bull but Gilding couldn’t pin the 131 which allowed Smith back for 42 at 8-7 down.
Gilding’s trebles continued to desert him and Smith hit a 180 to leave double 20 to break again and make it 8-8. He couldn’t trouble Smith’s throw and Smith led at 9-8.
He hit a timely 180 to leave 81 but missed three match darts and Gilding saved his skin on double five at 9-9. Smith hit a maximum to leave 122 and missed double seven to go 10-9 up. But Gilding couldn’t get a shot at 101 and Smith pinned double two to go one away and the tie was not prolonged with ‘Bully Boy’ getting over the line.

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