Wright defeats Smith to win 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship, becomes two-time World Champion

Peter Wright is a two-time World Champion defeating Michael Smith in the final of the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship.

Wright won 7-5 coming from 5-4 down to seal three sets on the spin for the title as he came good with set averages of 107, 112 and 113.

This alongside a high checkout of 148, 17 180's and a 98 average as he denied Smith in his second World final who produced 24 180's in defeat but it was Wright who produced in key moments.

Smith fired in two 180’s but missed two darts at double 20 and this allowed Wright to hit 66 to claim the opening leg. An astonishing leg followed as Smith won after 28 darts on double one to hold with Wright getting opportunity after opportunity to break.

He pinned double four to hold from there to go away. Smith missed two darts at 56 to hold and Wright pinned double eight for the opening set.

Smith took the opening leg of the second set on double 20. He missed two darts to break and Wright held for 1-1. Smith was sat on 32 for a 2-1 lead and Wright broke with a 148 checkout to go one away from a 2-0 sets lead. He followed that up with a 124 checkout on the bull to go 2-0 up in sets.

Smith broke through with a 167 checkout to go 2-1 up to go one away from getting a set back. He pinned double 13 from there to hold and claim it.

Wright missed a 170 and Smith returned for an 80 checkout to hold. The former went five darts into a nine-dart finish before holding throw with a 117 checkout to make it 1-1. Double 16 saw Smith hold to go one away from levelling the tie.

Double 10 saw Wright level up. But Wright squandered two set darts and Smith nailed double 10 to make it 2-2.

Wright surged into a 2-0 lead but Smith responded with an 11-dart break to make it 2-1 and he was throwing for a decider. A 65 checkout saw Smith level up.

Wright missed the bull for an 88 checkout but Smith slipped into single one on a 106 which allowed ‘Snakebite’ back for 25 once more and the set.

Smith led the requisite set with a 38 checkout before Wright levelled with a 76 checkout. But Smith surged to the set for a level game on double eight.

Wright missed 124 for an opening hold and after a further three missed darts at double 11, Smith returned for a break on double 20. A 64 checkout saw Smith hold as he went one away from the lead.

A 93 checkout on double 18 saw Smith go 4-3 up in sets. He missed a 52 checkout for a hold in the next set with Wright pinning double 20 to break.

Smith missed 88 to break back and Wright hit double four for a 2-0 lead. The former held but only after Wright missed set darts. Smith hit back-to-back 180’s but missed the bull and Wright took out 72 for the set to make it 4-4.

Wright staved off a potential break opportunity for Smith with a 106 checkout to lead the next set. Smith held though on double 12. They both hold until the decider where Wright had the throw.

But he squandered six darts for the set and Smith took advantage to go 5-4 up. He hit 180 number 21 and pinned double 15 to hold in the tenth set.

He pinned another and broke on double 20 to go within one of a 6-4 sets lead. Wright hit his 12th 180 and left 100 after nine. Smith had not a lot on offer to pressure and couldn’t hit 160 which allowed Wright back for double 10 and a break back.

Wright concluded his fightback to send it to a decider. An 84 checkout saw ‘Snakebite’ take it to make it 5-5 in sets.

A 96 checkout saw Wright lead to begin the next set. Smith missed 104 for a hold and Wright doubled his lead with an 80 checkout leaving ‘Bully Boy’ up against it.

Smith got back in the 180 column but missed a 124 for a hold and Wright got himself down to 36 which he pinned to make it 6-5 in sets.

Wright took out 81 on the bull from there to make it seven legs on the spin to go only two legs away from the title. He picked out double nine from there to go one away.

Smith saved himself on double 10 to halve the deficit but needed a break. One that was not forthcoming as Wright claimed it on double 16.