Smith pays tribute to Ashton after opening Grand Slam win

Michael Smith saw off Lisa Ashton on the opening night at the Grand Slam of Darts in a 5-win to open his account.

Smith averaged 102 in a superb performance but paid tribute to Ashton following it calling her the best female darts player ever and that it is his toughest game of the opening foray.

"I played Lisa in Germany and she beat me. Now we don't play many women but not being rude, I don't think Lisa is a woman in that sense of fact. She could play darts better than anyone of us here and when she's on, she's on so I'm glad when I got the chance I took it every time," said Smith post match.

"I was glad to get Lisa out the way because in my mind she was my hardest game and my next two games I can concentrate and I can be myself."

"I know Trina's won how many nine or ten World titles but she (Lisa) is the best ever women's darts player, the way she plays, the way she does it. She can compete with anyone. She's amazing and I think no one can play like she can."

"Apart from the World Championship, it's the best tournament in the world. I just love it. I love the fast pace, I love getting out the blocks straight away."

"Growing up playing it was always best of five, you can't afford to lose one maybe two legs so you've got to keep going."