Durrant sees off defending champion Van Gerwen in thriller, Smith edges past Ratajski

World Series
Sunday, 20 September 2020 at 00:22
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Defending World Series of Darts Finals champion Michael van Gerwen is out with Glen Durrant once again claiming victory over the World Number One.

Van Gerwen won for the first time against Durrant during the PDC Autumn Series but on stage, ‘Duzza’ still has the Green Machine’s number as the latter won’t make it number five as his only big stage win this year remains the UK Open.

In truth, MVG didn’t do a lot wrong with both players averaging 102 and one missed dart in the latter part of the match costing him.

Van Gerwen began by claiming the opening leg on throw against Durrant but he missed bull for a 132 checkout and Durrant replied with double six for 1-1.

They exchanged the next few legs with it very much all to play for albeit with Van Gerwen holding a slender advantage at the interval.

Durrant himself missed a 132 himself with double 20 instead of bull this time and Van Gerwen edged ahead 4-3.

Durrant squared it up and then the pivotal moment occurred. MVG missed one dart at double 16 and the former broke to go one away. In the requisite leg, Van Gerwen missed his shot at an 80 checkout and Durrant left 40 which he pinned for victory and he let out a big show of emotion.

Michael Smith is also through to the Quarter-Finals after edging past Krzysztof Ratajski in a 6-4 win with ‘Bully Boy’ completing the line-up in Salzburg.

He broke throw in the early stages to move 2-1 up on Ratajski. Despite that, ‘The Polish Eagle’ took out 74 to go 3-2 up with a 99 average at the time. He then led once more at 4-3 up after Smith missed a dart at double five.

Smith came back with consecutive legs to break through and go 5-4 ahead and he suddenly found himself one away. From there, he claimed the tie. Could it be Smith’s weekend?

James Wade (97.04) 6-3 (88.04) Jeff Smith

Nathan Aspinall (101.1) 6-1 (84.09) Darius Labanauskas

Daryl Gurney (102.36) 6-2 (88.09) Cody Harris

Gerwyn Price (101.46) 6-3 (88.49) Vincent van der Voort

Rob Cross (90.18) 6-0 (75.97) Steve Beaton

Peter Wright (101.49) 6-3 (94.13) Damon Heta

Michael van Gerwen (102) 4-6 (102.5) Glen Durrant

Michael Smith (95.37) 6-4 (95.71) Krzysztof Ratajski

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