"The friendship never went out the window": Michael Smith says emotions got too involved during tense Dobey clash

Michael Smith had to fight valiantly to keep his title hopes alive at the World Matchplay despite initially going 4-0 up in the contest against Chris Dobey.

Making his first ever Quarter-Final in the tournament, Smith admitted post match that he let friendship get involved a bit too much and it took over the tie and his psyche against Dobey.

He said that he should've wanted to rip Dobey's head off but he didn't as he also had scar tissue from his previous losses to 'Hollywood'. But he is through and Rob Cross now awaits.

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"Joy that I finally got through to the Quarter-Finals and joy the last three TV events Dobey has done me over. I started off really well. I wasn't playing the best but I was hitting checkouts when I needed them. I started splitting doubles which I never do, because I missed so many key shots I started second guessing my game. But despite the second guessing I still won."

"Since 2018/2019, I started winning games that I shouldn't. Started finding a different level in my game. I was getting a bit frustrated that I could've won the game a lot easier, Dobey could've been a lot closer, I just think the friendship never went out the window when we went on stage. We shook hands and said good luck instead of me saying I want to rip his head off type of thing. That never went out the window on stage."

"I think with Gary it was more in COVID when he beat me in the semi's, that was a really tight game. Now Dobey beat me in the last three, the Masters, the Matchplay, the World's. I've been trying to get over them. When I was 4-1 up, I thought he's not playing well. Step up now and I'll win the match. I stepped up but then my doubles disappeared. It was just a point that I needed to prove to myself. I let the emotions take over me tonight."