Wade produces flawless doubling display to down Jeff Smith, Michael Smith sees off impressive qualifier Boehm

PDC
Saturday, 04 June 2022 at 02:01
PLLondonQF James Wade1
There were doubts heading into the US Darts Masters about James Wade due to his recent time away from the oche due to illness but these were dispelled as the World Series of Darts returned.
Wade produced a truly flawless display to see off Jeff Smith 6-2 and reached the Quarter-Finals in New York. He produced 6/6 on the doubles and capped it off with a 124 checkout on the bull as he downed the tricky Canadian.
To begin the tie, Smith didn’t get a shot at 100 and Wade used his last dart at the double in a 64 to go 1-0 up. The ‘Wading’ continued with a 116 checkout for a break from ‘The Machine’ to go 2-0 up.
Smith missed double 20 for a superb 135 and Wade punished again with a 76 checkout. Smith hit back with a 115 checkout to make it 3-1.
A crucial 180 left 62 and he went 4-1 up. He went one away with a 62 checkout as he continued a flawless doubling display despite one of his points sticking in the board before going for the finish. This concluded with a 124 checkout on the bull.
Compared to Michael Smith who came into the tournament in some of his best form in a while winning a Premier League night and European Tour.
But he struggled at times against the impressive debutant Doug Boehm who will have seen his odds drastically reduce for the North American Championship tomorrow after pushing 'Bully Boy' in a tie which the two-time World finalist won 6-3.
Smith surged into a 4-1 lead as he looked to ease past the qualifier but Boehm aimed to cause him problems only to miss four darts to go 4-3 down and ‘Bully Boy’ took a 5-2 lead.
He missed 170 for the match but couldn’t seal the deal and Boehm made it 5-3 to prolong the tie. Needing a 180 to leave a finish, he left 157 but couldn’t get a shot at 5-4 and Smith finally sealed it with a 76 checkout.

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