Smith completes comeback to edge past Sherrock, Ratajski sees off home hero Suljovic in thrilling tie

Jeff Smith produced a late comeback to see off Fallon Sherrock on the opening night of the World Series of Darts Finals.

Smith was 5-1 down and seemingly heading out in Salzburg but Sherrock missed multiple match darts and ‘The Silencer’ came back superbly to win through in a decider against ‘The Queen of the Palace’.

Smith started with a 17-dart hold of throw but Sherrock started to find some quality darts in the form of a 140 and 180 followed by a 60 checkout to make it 1-1.

She missed double four for a 116 checkout to break throw but despite missing three at double two, Smith missed the chance at a 108 checkout and Sherrock pinned it second time of asking to claim the lead.

Smith missed double 19 for a 155 checkout and Sherrock hit double 16 to make it 3-1 to hold throw and at the interval was two away with an 11-darter seeing The Queen of the Palace take control in the tie.

She continued to procession by hitting double 16 for 5-1 to go one away but wasn’t over the winning line yet as Smith hit double two last dart in hand to stop the rot. He stole the throw in the requisite leg hitting a first 180 as he attempted a comeback and after Sherrock couldn’t punish missing a match dart, he pinned double 20 to make it 5-3.

More missed match darts passed Sherrock by and Smith pegged another leg back. He made it four in a row hitting double two to send it all the way at 5-5 and he had the throw for the match. A 138 set up shot from Sherrock after a poor start to the leg put pressure on but Smith pinned 109 for the match.

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Stunning 109 checkout from Jeff Smith to secure a brilliant comeback victory against Fallon Sherrock! From 5-1 down, he wins five legs in a row to beat the Queen of the Palace. He rolls into the Second Round of the 2020 @bwin World Series of Darts Finals

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Also out in the opening round is home hero Mensur Suljovic after losing out to Krzysztof Ratajski in a thrilling tie. Ratajski came from 3-1 down reeling off five consecutive legs to see off ‘The Gentle’ 6-3 with a 99 average and high checkouts of 144 and 141 en route.

Suljovic had a superb start to proceedings hitting a 121 to take the first leg but Ratajski hit back with a 144 to get off the mark. ‘The Gentle’ though replied with two 180’s en route to an 11-darter to make it 3-1. Ratajski hit his first 180 en route to a 141 to hold throw, at the break it was 3-2 to Suljovic in a superb start to the tie.

It was three straight legs for Ratajski as he upped his standard and hit the front 4-3 with a 105 average. Suljovic missed three darts to hold and Ratajski pinned a 50 checkout on double 16 to break and go one away.

Ratajski missed double 20 for an 82 checkout for the match but Suljovic once more missed two at double 20 and one at double 10 and Ratajski didn’t fail on the latter target pinning it for victory.

Click here for more information about the World Series of Darts Finals , including the tournament bracket, prize money breakdown and TV Guide.

Schedule World Series of Darts Finals 2020

Friday September 18 (1900 BST)

First Round

Harry Ward (85.35) 2-6 (91.43) Darius Labanauskas

Ian White (89.72) 5-6 (89.41) Damon Heta

Cody Harris (89.72) 6-2 (78.92) Dave Chisnall

Vincent van der Voort (95.94) 6-0 (83.73) Joe Cullen

Jeff Smith (86.57) 6-5 (85.11) Fallon Sherrock

Krzysztof Ratajski (99.71) 6-3 (102.64) Mensur Suljovic

Glen Durrant v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Simon Whitlock v Steve Beaton

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Massive disappointment for the home crowd as Mensur Suljovic crashes out. Krzysztof Ratajski recovers from 3-1 down to win 6-3 and reach the Second Round in Salzburg.

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