Smith relieved to have faced Ratajski during World Series of Darts Finals opener

Michael Smith is through to the Quarter-Finals at the World Series of Darts Finals after seeing off Krzysztof Ratajski in a hard fought 6-4 win.

Smith spoke afterwards and was relieved to face Ratajski compared to his potential of Mensur Suljovic who would have received massive support in front of a packed Salzburgarena on home soil.

"I'm feeling good," said Smith. "It was a bit of a struggle but I managed to keep my cool and finally get there in the end."

"I was glad I played Ratajski because it was Mensur either so I knew it was a bigger crowd today especially being in Austria. I wanted to play Ratajski and I knew he may have been thinking about the World Matchplay, same with Mensur."

"I didn't want to play Mensur in front of the Austrian crowd, that would have been stupid."

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Smith didn't have the best Autumn Series going out early on most days but for him, his runs on TV matter the most.

"I didn't have the best Summer Series either but I went to the World Matchplay and I didn't play well but I played half decent and it took Gary (Anderson) something special to beat me but it's one of them, I get on with it."

"From about three years ago when I was rubbish, I'm starting to step up on TV now; I'm making Quarters and semi's in more or less all the TV Tournaments."

Also he reflected on Michael van Gerwen heading out and even if he wins this weekend, it won't be the same as a title win where he'd beat the World Number One.

"I want to play Van Gerwen. I want to win tournaments when he's left in it. Same as when Phil was around, you've not won a tournament unless you've beat Phil in it and it's the same thing with Michael, you've not won until you've beat him as well."