𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧! ❌ MICHAEL SMITH DEFEATS GERWYN PRICE IN A DECIDING SET AND THE CHAMP IS OUT! Another thrilling Ally Pally classic sees Bully Boy secure his spot in the semi-finals! #WHDarts
Superb Smith defies nine-dart finish to dump out defending champion Price and complete World Darts Championship semi-final line-up
PDCSunday, 02 January 2022 at 00:16
Michael Smith has completed the semi-final line-up at the PDC World Darts Championship and will face James Wade tomorrow night after dumping out defending champion Gerwyn Price in a 5-4 victory.
On one of the best nights of darts seen at the Alexandra Palace for many a year, Smith took another step to potentially a second final where he will look for redemption.
In seeing off the World Number One, he defied a nine-dart finish and two match darts and could face either Peter Wright or Gary Anderson if he can get past 'The Machine' tomorrow. Is destiny finally coming for 'Bully Boy'?
Price started off with a 177 and pinned double 20 for an opening hold before Smith replied with a 121 checkout to make it 1-1.
It was a sterling effort from Smith to pressure on Price’s throw with both missing the bull for the leg, Price though returned for the lead on double six.
Price missed 101 for a break to claim the set and was punished by Smith with an 84 checkout. It was now up to ‘The Iceman’ to serve it out. He set up 40 from a 170 and pinned it to seal the set.
On return, Smith eased to a hold of a throw and took the first break of the match with a 107 checkout and he took the set with no reply in the form of a 56 checkout.
Price returned for a 125 checkout for the lead in the third set. Both players produced 180’s but it was Smith who hit 74 for a hold.
Smith went six darts into a nine-dart finish on Price’s throw and had 81 to break. He went into double four by accident instead of busting but returned with Price unable to take 158.
He hit double nine last dart in hand to go one away from a 2-1 sets lead. A 130 checkout saw Price force a deciding leg though.
Price had to pin 152 after a 180 from Smith but he missed double 16. The latter didn’t get a shot though and ‘The Iceman’ returned for a 2-1 sets lead.
He hit his first nine-dart finish on TV in the next set but Smith returned for a 3-1 sets win to make it 2-2 to diminish this.
Price looked to hold throw to begin the next set and Smith hit double 10 for a 70 checkout and a break of throw to go 1-0 up. Price missed 108 for a break back but Smith missed a 78 checkout and ‘The Iceman’ returned to break back.
A double 20 shot saw Price go 2-1 up. A 108 checkout saw him seal the comeback in the set to go ahead.
There was no comeback in the next set as Smith hit 180 to leave double 15 for the set which he claimed for a clean sweep and 3-3.
Price returned to the foray in the next set with a 72 checkout to hold only for Smith to hit double one to level up. Price missed double 20 for a 75 checkout to hold and Smith punished with a 74 checkout to go 2-1 up.
Price took a break back though and the script flipped again in favour of the Welshman and he hit double 20 to go ahead 4-3.
A 78 checkout saw Price draw it level 1-1 in the next set. He hit a 140 to gain the impetus on Smith’s throw after pointing out a crowd member putting him off to referee George Noble.
He couldn’t pin 140 though and Smith hit double 10 to hold and go 2-1 up. A 100 checkout saw Price take away any momentum on his throw that Smith had and made him go one away from the win.
A 180 and 140 saw Price leave 42 for the win. He missed two match darts though and Smith forced a ninth set.
Price missed double 20 for a 112 and Smith claimed an early break in the deciding set to go 1-0 up. He followed that up with a 126 checkout to go one away from the semi-finals.
Price stayed alive on double 20 but Smith was throwing for the match and to avert the tie-break. After initially a poor start to the leg, Smith hit a 140 to leave 138 and he missed double 12 for the match.
Price returned for 110 but missed double 20 and Smith returned for double 12 to end Price’s World title bid.
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- With the general noise / buzz coming from the crowd can a player seriously believe he can hear darts rattling in the other players hand?Mysstree23-11-2024
- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024