Michael Smith is the first player through to the World Matchplay Quarter-Finals after recovering from 9-6 down to see off Mensur Suljovic.
Smith came through in a tiebreak 14-12 with ten 180’s and he took out 110 to claim victory in the end to move through.
Suljovic had an excellent start to proceedings going 2-0 up over Smith and despite ‘Bully Boy’ making the deficit 4-3 with a 116 checkout.
Despite that, the Austrian extended his lead to 6-3 with 75% on the doubles. Smith closed the gap to two at the next interval at 6-4 behind.
He made it 6-5 with a pivotal 104 checkout with a break of throw. Four missed darts though from Smith allowed Suljovic a 7-5 lead.
It went all the way to a tiebreak though with Smith making it overtime from there at 10-10. He attempted to complete the turnaround at 11-10 up with an 84 checkout on the bull.
Suljovic produced a timely 11-darter with 91 to make it 11-11. It continued albeit with Smith going one away with a break at 13-12.
He finished proceedings from there with the break proving pivotal.
Schedule World Matchplay 2020
Tuesday July 21
First Round
Nathan Aspinall (93.54) 5-10 (98.42) Dimitri van den Bergh
Second Round
Michael Smith (94.99) 14-12 (91.7) Mensur Suljovic
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Simon Whitlock
Gabriel Clemens v Krzysztof Ratajski
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