SMITH INTO THE FINAL! Michael Smith comes through a thrilling battle with Raymond van Barneveld to reach another TV final! #GSOD | SF 📺 bit.ly/GSOD22Live
Superb Smith survives comeback to end run of Van Barneveld, reaches Grand Slam of Darts final
PDCSunday, 20 November 2022 at 15:33
Michael Smith is nearly into double figures when it comes to major finals but could this finally be the time for 'Bully Boy' to ascend to his first at the Grand Slam of Darts after reaching the final on Sunday evening where he will play either Luke Humphries or Nathan Aspinall.
In doing so, the World Number Four ended the run of Raymond van Barneveld 16-12 with the doyen of Dutch darts mounting a mammoth comeback from 5-0 down with Smith left to lament a myriad of missed darts at doubles with 33 in all despite hitting 17 180's, a 104 average and a high checkout of 130.
He now has another chance after reaching his ninth major final and will aim to write the wrongs in particular of three prior opportunities this year most notably the World Championship and UK Open as well as the European Championship, the previous major.
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Like alluded to, it was an incredible start for Smith including a 130 checkout pouncing on multiple missed darts at doubles from Barney to go 5-0 up.
But after the interval, the revival began. Smith missed darts in multiple legs including 6-1 up and 6-2 up with Barney gaining two back. It became more of a back and forth affair with Smith going 6-4 up at the interval and keeping hold of the break at 8-6.
Only for Van Barneveld to cut it to a single leg on double six to make it 8-7. Smith aimed to get some distance but was denied as despite hitting a 108 checkout, Barney broke back immediately for 9-8.
Another break came with an 11th 180 and 81 for a 12-darter for Smith at 10-8 but Van Barneveld punished missed darts at double again and went on to make it 10-10.
But after yelling stop it at the missed darts at double, Smith had one last surge going 13-12 up and pouncing on three at double 16 missed to make it 14-12. He hit double 20 again second dart to seal it before letting out a roar.
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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