Smith 'fuming' after World Matchplay final loss to Cross: 'I don't want to be the nearly man'

Michael Smith lost out to Rob Cross in the final of the World Matchplay after staging a miraculous comeback where he went from 9-0 down to 15-13 before he finally lost out.

Smith as a result has now lost in Blackpool; as well as the World Championship and Premier League and he spoke afterwards and admitted that he is fuming and that he doesn't want to be the nearly man.

"My doubles deserted me tonight. I was constantly chasing and I didn't turn up.

"Even at 9-0 down I still believed that I was going to win, but you pay the price for being 9-0 down. I proved that I can fight but when I got back in it, my doubles disappeared again.

"My scoring wasn't there and my finishing wasn't, but all credit to Rob because he did a job. I've made another final and it's another runner-up trophy but it won't stop me."

The former World Youth Champion added: "I'd rather have got beaten in the first round than lose in that final - it hurts less.

"I'm fuming - I keep making finals but I don't want to be "the nearly man", I want to be the one that wins them."

Click here for more information about the World Matchplay, including the prize money breakdown, schedule and format.

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