Ross Smith is into the third round of the 2021/22 PDC
World Darts Championship for the first time as he continues his darting rise after a stunning 3-2 victory over Stephen Bunting.
Smith produced a 167 checkout and 102 back to back to steal the tie in the first iteration of sudden death tiebreak this year after spurning doubles which erased a quality start.
But it will now be Dirk van Duijvenbode or Boris Koltsov next after Christmas for 'Smudger'.
Smith claimed an opening break with a 44 checkout to go 2-0 up. He sealed the set from there on double 16.
Bunting was averaging only 76 but as Smith missed multiple set darts, ‘The Bullet’ finally got his first leg on the board on double 20 to hold.
‘Smudger’ missed 141 and Bunting broke to go one away from a level game. Smith missed more set darts and Bunting took the set.
His double woes continued as he made it eight missed darts and Bunting smashed in a 150 to steal a march. He followed that up by consolidating on double 20. Smith finally stopped the rot but Bunting sealed it on double 12 to go 2-1 up.
A 107 checkout saw Smith break throw and head into the lead. Bunting missed 128 on the bull in the requisite leg and Smith replied with a 64 checkout to go one away. He sealed it from there with a 10 dart leg before producing a 12 darter to lead.
Bunting missed double 16 for an 85 checkout but returned after Smith had the same checkout and went for the bull. ‘The Bullet’ made it 1-1 from there.
Three 140’s in quick succession for Bunting sent him down to 81 with Smith only able to leave double eight in case of the St Helens ace missing and he bust going into double 10.
Smith return to hit double eight and go one away from the match. A fifth 180 for Bunting followed and he hit double four to send it to a tiebreak.
The Deal ace produced a 167 on the bull to go one away from the win. Smith claimed it with a stunning 102 on double 11 with Bunting waiting on 50.