Will Michael Smith follow in Adrian Lewis' footsteps after equipment change?

Reigning World Champion Michael Smith changed darts manufacturers this week. This allows him to follow in the footsteps of another PDC player, who also changed darts manufacturers after winning the World Darts Championship, then achieving a miraculous feat.

It was announced Friday morning that a decade-long partnership between darts manufacturer Unicorn Darts and reigning world champion Michael Smith is coming to an end. Saturday it was announced that world number one has signed a new contract with New Zealand brand Shot Darts.

This manufacturer will provide Smith with his new darts and design a new range of merchandise products. This weekend, Smith could already be seen in action with his new arrows at the European Darts Matchplay.

One player who also switched manufacturers shortly after becoming world champion is Adrian Lewis. He became world champion in 2011 and then switched to Target midway through the 2012 season. This did not prove to be a wrong choice, considering he became world champion again in 2012.

Smith could follow in Adrian Lewis' footsteps if he manages to win the upcoming World Championship again with his new equipment. At least the first signs indicate that Smith is having no problems with his equipment change. He won the first match with his new arrows with an average of 101 and a finishing percentage of 60 percent.

Smith won all of his six legs within five visits, easily advancing to the next round at the tournament. Smith managed to top it off in the next match with a 111 average and another 60 percent finish percentage, resulting in a 6-4 win against Josh Rock. Smith was unable to find that form on the night, however, losing 4-6 to Dirk van Duijvenbode with an average of only 92.