Smith reaches second career PDC World Darts Championship final with superb win over Wade

PDC
Sunday, 02 January 2022 at 22:28
WLDCHAMPS QF MICHAEL SMITH9A

Michael Smith is into the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship and will face off against either Peter Wright or Gary Anderson tomorrow evening after seeing off James Wade in a tremendous display.

Smith averaged 101 with 16 180's en route pinned by 'Bully Boy' as he reaches a second final in the showpiece tournament. Can he make it second time's the charm?

Smith edged a closely run first set 3-2 averaging 97 as he drew first blood against Wade. But despite an opening first set which was close, ‘Bully Boy’ started to gain control wrapping up the second set 3-1 with a 114 checkout to double his lead as his average went towards 106 with four 180’s.

Just as it looked like Smith was in control though, he squandered two set darts and Wade picked his pocket as he does best with a 121 checkout to get off the mark and halve the deficit.

Smith though recovered from two legs down to claim the fourth set and go 3-1 up after Wade missed one at double 20. It was another 121 checkout for Wade but this proved the only flourish in the next stanza of the game as Smith claimed it 3-1 from there with a 103 average and 10 180’s to go towards the final. 

His procession continued with a 72 checkout as he surged into a 5-1 lead but as he moved to within a set but this is when the finishing line began to set in.

He pinned a 112 checkout but Wade moved 2-1 ahead and took out a 160 checkout to make it 5-2. The comeback continued as Smith could not hit the trebles and in the deciding leg, Wade claimed it to make it interesting at 5-3 up.  

But Smith stuck to the task at hand and hit a 16th 180 en route to going one away before sealing it on double 10 with Wade waiting on 66. 

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