Smith believe he is 'best player in the world' on his day: "If I don't believe it, no-one else will"

Michael Smith had to come from 6-4 and 8-4 down to see off Andrew Gilding and reach the second round of the World Matchplay with the admission that he never makes it easy.

"I think if you're a fan of mine there's never been an easy game, it's always two leg swing or sudden death legs but as long as I won. It's better than winning 10-0 I guess, you don't see where you're at. At 6-4 down and 8-4 down, I've seen where my game was and where my head is, it's there for fighting, it's there for battling and winning legs that I shouldn't and scrapping for wins," said Smith post match.

"What I thought he can't get to nine, throughout the match I don't care if he wins a leg, as long as I get the next two that's all I kept telling myself but when he's 8-4 up, you've got to get it to 8-7 and then it's his darts and one big push. That's all I kept telling myself."

On being hunted as opposed to being the hunter in this tournament after his superb form, Smith keeps the same mindset.

"Every tournament I play in, I say to myself that I'll win this tournament. I fell short maybe once or twice but I believe I'm the best player in the world if I turn up. If I don't believe it, no-one else will. As for being a target, I'm not bothered. If they beat me and I've played well, fair play. It's when I play bad, it's when I get upset with myself."