Michael Smith had to stage an incredible recovery to keep his spot in the PDC World Darts Championship defeating Martin Schindler in a nail-biting 4-3 win to conclude a superb session at the Alexandra Palace.
Smith came from 3-1 down to see off Schindler who didn't get a chance to win despite putting himself in a superb position as the Grand Slam champion showed his battling qualities again. He produced six 180's, 40% on the doubles including a 170 and 114 checkout.
While Schindler produced 10 180's, a 94 average despite losing out as 'Bully Boy' moves on to face Joe Cullen, his good friend in the next round.
After holds to begin the opening set, Schindler went six darts into a nine-dart finish but still took the set on double four.
Smith started set two with a 170 checkout, the second of the tournament. He followed that up on double four for 2-0.
Schindler missed darts to prolong the set and Smith hit double eight for the set. He was left chasing around the board and Schindler broke his throw to begin set three but Smith hit back after Schindler missed 106.
A 48 checkout saw him break again and go one away from a 2-1 sets lead. Smith hit back on double five though to send it all the way.
An 88 checkout for an 11-darter though saw Schindler go 2-1 up in sets. An 84 checkout saw the German ace make it 1-0 in the fourth set. A 128 checkout saw him go one away from a 3-1 sets lead.
Smith broke back though as he looked to stave off the Schindler surge but it proved futile as he pinned double 14 for 3-1 in sets.
Schindler hit double 10 to make it 1-1. He missed 81 on double 13 but got another go only to miss two darts at double six and allowed Smith a dart at 56 which he took to go 2-1 up.
Schindler sent it all the way on double 10. A 72 checkout though from Smith saw him steal a set back. The former hit double 10 to hold and begin a pivotal set.
A 114 checkout saw Smith level up. He missed 128 on double 10 but Schindler had to get 113 and he couldn’t which allowed Smith back for double 10 to go one away from 3-3.
He hit 140 to leave double 20 but missed two darts. Handing Schindler a shot at 120, he couldn’t get the treble and Smith hit double two last dart for the set.
Smith began the decider pinning double six for an 81 checkout to lead for the first time since the first set. Schindler busted double eight but Smith couldn’t capitalise and the former hit double eight for 1-1.
Smith hit double eight to go one away with Schindler needing to hold throw. But he didn’t and Smith hit double 20 for the win.
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