Wright ends Gates run, set to face Smith in opening US Darts Masters semi-final
PDCSunday, 05 June 2022 at 02:49
The opening semi-final of the US Darts Masters has been confirmed with Michael Smith set to face Peter Wright later this evening at Madison Square Garden.
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Smith was first through after an 8-3 rout over his former mentor, Gary Anderson who again he held the edge over with a 93 average and 40% on the doubles.
To begin the tie, Smith missed double 12 for a 124 but returned for double six to break and go 1-0 up. He continued to impress as Anderson faltered and he hit a 67 checkout on double 10 to go 2-0 up.
Anderson messed around on 60 but returned with Smith only able to pressure and the Scot finally got a leg on the board at 2-1.
Finally after a lot of near misses Smith pinned a 180 and hit a 123 to leave 58 to lead 3-1. He was first to a finish on Anderson’s throw leaving 106 and he missed double 13 only for Anderson to return for 109 to make it 3-2.
But the break of throw allowed Smith to open up a two leg lead again at 4-2. Anderson missed three darts to hold and he handed Smith a break chance which he took on double five to make it 5-2 at the first break. He missed 164 on the bull on return but returned with Anderson having a lapse in concentration in going for a break and Smith was two away.
He went one away with a 104 checkout to pick Anderson’s pocket once more. Anderson raised his eyebrows as he hit his first 180 to leave 38 on Smith’s throw and he broke back at 7-3. Smith missed the bull for the win but Anderson couldn’t pin 170 and finally he got over the line.
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While for Wright, it was also an 8-3 win but not a rout and more of a match of missed doubles as he ended the run of North American champion, Leonard Gates who couldn't continue his MSG heroics.
Wright had doubling woes to begin the tie which summed the game up as he finished on 8/23 overall but Gates missed three to break and ‘Snakebite’ finally made it 1-0. ‘Soldier’ levelled up from there laying up 134 to leave double six.
Again it was 134 to leave 42 to break but he missed two to make it 2-1 only to return with Wright not able to get a shot from 88.
He made it seven darts to break the Wright throw overall and ‘Snakebite’ took it to make it 2-1. Wright switched back to his Gold Element darts but both continued to have doubling woes which allowed Gates back at double eight to make it 2-2.
The former went five darts into a nine-darter and was well ahead to hold throw at 3-2 up. A disappointing leg from Gates allowed Wright to surge into a 4-2 lead.
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Both continued to miss doubles though and Gates made it 4-3. On return, Wright broke to make it 5-3 and a timely 180 and 62 checkout saw Wright go two away at 6-3.
Another timely set up in a 170 left double eight for Wright. He only got a shot though after Gates missed double 18 for a 150 checkout to hold and Wright made it 7-3 and surged to victory from there.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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