Smith discusses Price crowd incident at PDC World Darts Championship: "It was annoying me just as much as him"

Michael Smith is through to the semi-finals of the 2022 PDC World Darts Championship after seeing off Gerwyn Price in a thrilling tie.

But despite being pleased to be through, Smith wants to now back it up when he faces James Wade.

"Obviously I'm chuffed. When I hit that double 12 everything just left me. I've got nothing left and I feel like Ian Beale off EastEnders. I'm just over the moon I won that game," he said post match.

"If I go out tomorrow and lose my game, it means nothing doesn't it. Just got to keep myself focused and keep myself prepared right, sleeping right. When I wake up in the afternoon then I start thinking about playing tomorrow - who knows I could turn up tomorrow and play the worst darts I've played."

An incident occurred where amongst all the booing levied at Price, a member of the crowd was pointed out to George Noble and Smith said she was also doing his head in.

"That person who was shouting was shouting for me and it was annoying me just as much as him. As Gezzy turned around to look, I tried to say she's doing my head in as well but he never looked at me. The crowd was always going to be against Gezzy, every match he's played for the last three years they've been against him. Luckily enough, I was there to mop up when he missed."

But can he go one better than 2019 when he reached the final, he believes he's improved mentally since then.

"I think I was playing better in 2019 especially looking at the stats. But I don't think I have the mental side I have now. I'm not giving up and I'm not throwing darts away."