Smith though had chances to win it beforehand and he admitted frustration at not being able to get over the line.
"I'm happy but also a bit frustrated because I could have wrapped it up earlier, but I'm proud of how I handled that last leg because I could have buckled," said Smith. "I wanted it so much and I'm happy.
"I was a bit patchy in the game but it was a tough game for me tonight, especially against Rob. He's got a great record against me so it's about time I got one back.
"It was a battle but I can put that to one side and it's a new game tomorrow against Jose. I'm glad I'm in the quarter-finals, it's a tournament that I love and I'm looking forward to tomorrow now."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.