Smith continues World Darts Championship brilliance with Petersen win, sets up Hempel clash

Raymond Smith flew across the world and had to encounter over $1,000 in Covid-19 tests but his gamble has paid off as he is through to the Last 32 of the PDC World Darts Championship where he will face Florian Hempel.

This in a night when both Petersen and Dimitri van den Bergh fell in quick succession with the Aussie producing a 93 average, two 180's and 56% on the doubles to dump out 'The African Warrior' who couldn't recover after a poor start.

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Smith missed 106 for an opening hold but Petersen missed 99 and the former replied with double 16 to hold. A 52 checkout saw him hold throw and with ‘The African Warrior’ still fading, Smith took out double 10 to whitewash the first set.

Smith began the second set with a 121 checkout on the bull to break. Petersen finally started to kick into gear with a 180 and 140 before pinning a 41 checkout on double 16 to break back and make it 1-1.

The Aussie ace missed darts to break again but with Petersen missing three further darts to hold – the former took his chance to go one away from a 2-0 sets lead.

Petersen missed double 16 for a 146 to break back and Smith pinned an 80 checkout to go 2-0 ahead in sets. A double 10 shot saw Smith go two away from the win with a hold.

Petersen got his second leg on the board but only to hold. Smith was looking to go one away from the win. The former replied with a 114 finish as he looked to mount a late comeback.

He produced a 180 but Smith hit back with a maximum of his own as he sent the third set to a decider where he had the throw. The Aussie ace hit double eight to seal the deal from there with Petersen well back.