"That's why I hate this game" - Michael Smith victorious but frustrated at Poland Darts Masters

Michael Smith has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Poland Darts Masters in Gliwice. 'Bullyboy' was too strong in the first round 6-4 against home crowd favourite Radek Szaganski.

Despite the win, Smith was not entirely satisfied. "The last few weeks I've just not been able to hit a double. The scoring has come back but the doubles have vanished and that's why I hate this game," the former world champion laughs in his post-match press conference. "When things aren't going your way it's a bit disheartening but a 96 average with 6 out of 30 on the doubles is not too bad."

With Smith's partner being Polish, this is something of a home tournament for the family, but he says that doesn't add any extra pressure to this tournament. "There was extra pressure last year when I came in as world champion, world number one and I just expected to win it," he recalls. "But now, I'm just a bit more relaxed, more chilled."

Smith will meet the current world champion and world number one Luke Humphries in the quarterfinals on Saturday night. "I know I'm going to get a 102/103 average, I'm going to turn up and play well and if the scoring turns up like it did in this one, I just need to put one in every two or three darts at double instead of one in every seven!" Smith laughs. "But it's swings and roundabouts, that's why everyone loves this game."

Although they are rivals in Poland, soon Smith will be forming a duo with Humphries at the World Cup of Darts at the end of this month. "It's the one title I want," Smith says determinedly. "I think I've been in every single round apart from winning. With Luke, we get on really well too but I don't want to say too much or put too much pressure on."