Smith reaches third PDC World Darts Championship final after comprehensive win over Clemens with 19 180's
PDC
Gabriel Clemens run has come to an end at the PDC World Darts Championship with Michael Smith reaching his third World final aiming to make it third times the charm and add to his Grand Slam glory in November.
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Smith will face either Michael van Gerwen or Dimitri van den Bergh tomorrow night after a comprehensive 6-2 win with 19 180's, 101 average and 42% on the doubles as well as five ton plus checkouts.
Smith missed darts for 2-0 before Clemens snuck in double eight for 1-1. ‘Bully Boy’ went six darts into a nine-dart finish but returned for double 18 for an 11-darter.
Clemens went six darts into a nine-dart finish himself and hit a 50 checkout for 2-2. A 106 checkout from Smith saw him seal the set.
Smith continued his superb start on double 20 to break in set two and held on the same target. A 68 checkout on double 16 saw Clemens go 2-1 down. A seventh 180 was hit but double 15 was missed and Clemens returned for double eight to make it 2-2.
Clemens missed 143 for the set but Smith missed a shot for a 2-0 sets lead and Clemens took it to make it 1-1.
Smith snuck in double two to hold. Clemens held again to make it 1-1. With Clemens sat on 80, Smith hit 144 for 2-1. He had darts for the set from 78 but missed two darts at double 12 and Clemens sent it all the way. Clemens missed 116 for the set and Smith returned for double 20 to seal it.
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A 91 checkout on double 20 saw Clemens take the lead in the fourth set. A 161 checkout from Smith saw Smith level up with his third ton plus checkout. Clemens hit double 10 to go 2-1 up, while Smith hit the same target to send it all the way. Again it was double 10 as Clemens made it 2-2 in sets.
An 82 checkout saw Smith hold to begin set five. Both hit 180’s, Clemens missed 124 on the bull and Smith hit 100 for 2-0. It was a 13th 180 and double 20 for Smith to conclude a dominant set for Smith as he went 3-2 up.
A 101 checkout from Smith saw him make it five ton plus checkouts as he drew level in a sixth set. Clemens went one away on double 12 but messed up on 89 and Smith held on double five. An 83 checkout on the bull saw Smith claim the set.
An 81 checkout saw him lead in the seventh set. A 47 checkout saw Smith go one away from a 5-2 sets lead. An 86 checkout kept him in the tie and he hit double 10 to send it all the way.
An 81 checkout saw Smith go one away from the win. Clemens missed two darts to keep himself in the tie and Smith hit double 20 for the win.
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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.
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