World Darts Championship: Michael Smith, Simon Whitlock and Cameron Menzies all win on opening night | Darts News

Reigning champion and world No 1 Michael Smith survives opening-round scare to make it by at Ally Pally; the World Darts Championship runs all the best way till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – we’re again on Saturday afternoon at 12.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports activities Darts

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A glance again at a few of the finest motion for the opening evening of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace

Defending champion and world No 1 Michael Smith started his World Darts Championship title defence with victory after surviving a scare to defeat Dutch debutant Kevin Doets on opening evening at Alexandra Palace.

Smith created world headlines along with his sensational triumph in January, producing an unbelievable nine-darter in a leg dubbed ‘the best of all-time’ on his technique to a 7-4 success towards Michael van Gerwen.

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Michael Smith dug out this large 142 within the closing set to go away his opponent Kevin Doets shaking his head in disbelief

Doets, who reached the fifth spherical of this yr’s UK Open after successful his PDC Tour Card for the primary time in January 2022, dumped out Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz within the opening match of the match.

The world No 66 got here into the assembly with St Helens star Smith on a excessive, but it surely was the reigning champion who made a powerful begin by sealing the opening set 3-1 with 60 per cent on the doubles.

The gifted Dutchman responded by claiming the second set in a deciding leg towards the darts for parity with a 100.3 common after Smith did not hit tops to maneuver away from his opponent.

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Smith pinned this very good 150 throughout his 3-2 victory over the Dutchman

Doets, nicknamed ‘Hawk Eye’, continued to seek out the goal and he regardless of an enormous 150 checkout from Smith, he produced successful legs in 12, 14 and 13 darts to maneuver inside a set of inflicting a almighty upset.

Nevertheless, Smith wrapped up set 4 3-1, together with a whopping 121 checkout to ship it the space.

Smith landed an impressive 142 checkout underneath immense stress to regain the lead within the decider and regardless of lacking 5 darts at a double, he finally claimed victory with a 67 end on tops.

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Wayne Mardle heaped reward on Smith after his shut opening win at Ally Pally

“It is certainly one of them, I managed to fall over the road, no nerves, no stress, I will have a great Christmas now,” Smith advised Sky Sports activities.

Simon Whitlock, the 2010 runner-up, missed 5 darts earlier than successful a slow-burner of a contest towards former PDC Asian Championship finalist Paolo Nebrida to arrange a showdown with two-time champion Gary Anderson on Saturday night.

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Paolo Nebrida discovered checkouts of 116 and 121 however finally misplaced out to Simon Whitlock in a nervy contest

‘The Wizard’ was compelled to dig deep to battle previous Nebrida, utilizing all of his expertise to supply an escapologist act.

Whitlock stated: “I’ve simply been messing round with my darts an excessive amount of. I have been like Peter Wright.”

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Whitlock credited his expertise for getting him by a razor-thin opening-round contest

Cameron Menzies got here by a fiery encounter towards Rusty-Jake Rodriguez to succeed in the second spherical.

The Scot, who’s the companion of Fallon Sherrock, closed out a 3-0 success over Austria’s Rodriguez with 4 180s and 50 per cent on the doubles to maneuver by.

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Rusty-Jake Rodriguez threw his darts off the desk after happening two units to Cameron Menzies

What’s occurring on Saturday on the World Darts Championship?

Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall headlines he motion on Saturday afternoon at Alexandra Palace

The primary double session at this yr’s match will happen, as two-time world champion Gary Anderson opens his title problem with a conflict towards Simon Whitlock.

Dave Chisnall, a 2021 semi-finalist, takes centre stage within the afternoon when he faces Cameron Menzies, whereas American No 1 Jules van Dongen makes his debut towards DPA qualifier Darren Penhall.

The game’s largest occasion sees 96 gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace. You possibly can watch all of the motion dwell on our devoted Sky Sports activities Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship all the best way till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – dwell on Sky Sports activities Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months