Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen survives scares to reach World Championship Last 16
Michael van Gerwen continued his quest for a fourth World Championship title with victory over a rejuvenated Mensur Suljovic, while Michael Smith battled back to deny Martin Schindler on an epic day of Third Round action.
A pulsating double session at Alexandra Palace saw comebacks and drama aplenty as the big guns remained in contention for glory.
Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen held firm to deny a spirited Suljovic, registering a stunning 107.6 average and landing a dozen 180s in the process.
The Dutchman came through a thrilling first set with a 110 average, before recovering from 2-0 down in the second to double his lead, reeling off three straight legs in 37 darts courtesy of 101, 81 and 64 finishes.
Suljovic maintained his ton-plus average to halve the deficit in set three and despite Van Gerwen’s sustained brilliance, the Austrian appeared poised to level at 2-2 until the Dutchman fired in a superb 12-darter to move 3-1 ahead.
The fifth set also went the distance, and after Van Gerwen refused the option of going for the bull on a 121 combination to complete a 4-1 success, Suljovic conjured up an astonishing 161 skin-saver to reduce the arrears to 3-2.
However, the Austrian was punished for spurning three darts at double to hold throw midway through set six, and Van Gerwen took full advantage, pinning double four before crashing in a 14-darter to close out a classic.
“For a good game, you need two good dart players. I think Mensur was phenomenal and he deserves a lot of credit,” said Van Gerwen.
“I feel really comfortable, I feel good, and to win the way I did, that gives me extra motivation and confidence.
“If you want to win this tournament you have to battle through all circumstances and it gives me pleasure winning games like this. There could only be one winner and that was me luckily.”
Two-time world finalist Smith fought back from 3-1 down to edge out Schindler in a seven-set thriller, defying ten 180s from the German star to preserve his title hopes.
Schindler drew first blood in a deciding leg, but a sensational 170 checkout from Smith – the second of the tournament – helped the St Helens ace restore parity at one set apiece.
The German was undeterred, regaining the initiative with an 11-darter to clinch set three, and he followed that up with an 84 finish and a 128 on the bull to move a set away from a landmark victory.
However, Smith – last month’s Grand Slam champion – underlined his credentials with a superb fightback, following up a 72 skin-saver in set five with a 114 checkout which turned the tide in the sixth.
Schindler continued to battle valiantly, but Smith’s experience paid dividends in the closing stages, as a clutch 83 combination and a 13-dart hold on tops catapulted the fourth seed through.
“I can’t really put it into words. I’m proud of myself for the way I came back,” said Smith, who averaged 95 and converted two ton-plus finishes.
“I’ve not been at my best. I know I’ve got so much more to give. I know I’m playing well, I know my game is there, it’s just not come out yet.
“You have got to show your character and I have had to do that twice now. You need to get over these scares to hopefully win the event.”
Smith will now take on Cullen in a blockbuster Last 16 tie, after the Masters champion whitewashed World Cup winner Damon Heta 4-0 to equal his best run at the World Championship.
Cullen produced superb 177 and 180 set-up shots to win the opening two sets, and after converting a clinical 108 combination to wrap up set three, he followed up a two-dart 97 checkout with an 11-darter to cap off a classy display.
“I thought I played the big legs really, really well,” said Cullen, who also defeated Heta at the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix earlier this year.
“I’ve gained a lot more experience, particularly in the big legs. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game, but I think I was a worthy winner regardless of the scoreline.
“Damon put on a great performance against Adrian [Lewis in round two] and he’s a fantastic player, but I confident going into tonight’s game given my record against him.”
Earlier in the day, Chris Dobey condemned Gary Anderson to his earliest defeat at the World Championship since 2010, reeling off four straight sets to complete a resounding 4-1 success over the two-time champion.
Anderson made a blistering start, firing in back-to-back 12-darters to clinch the opening set with a 116 average, only for Dobey to level after the Scot squandered three darts to double his lead.
Dobey – who was beaten by Anderson in a World Championship classic back in 2018 – held his nerve to win three consecutive sets in deciding legs to move to the cusp of glory, and legs of 12, 16 and 15 darts in set five sealed the deal.
“It means a lot. Gary is a legend of the game,” reflected Dobey.
“Obviously playing Gary a few years ago here, that was still on my mind, and I wanted that revenge on him.
“Gary said something to me in the break and I didn’t like it. There was no way he was winning that game after that. It kind of annoyed me.
“He’s a class lad but I didn’t agree with what he said. I came up here to do one job and made sure I was winning this game.”
Jose de Sousa produced another remarkable fightback to reach the Last 16 for the first time, recovering from 3-0 down to dump out Ryan Searle courtesy of four consecutive sets.
De Sousa, who hit back from 2-0 down against Simon Whitlock in his opener, displayed further brinkmanship to secure a place in Round Four, despite missing a staggering 43 darts at double.
Searle punished the Portuguese star’s profligacy to establish a commanding cushion, but he was left to rue missing one match dart at tops for a 4-1 victory, as De Sousa battled back from the brink to set up a show-down with top seed Gerwyn Price.
Alan Soutar also produced a stirring fightback to dump out UK Open champion Danny Noppert in an extraordinary tussle, winning 12 of the last 13 legs to reach the last 16 for a second straight year.
Noppert made an imperious start to establish a two-set lead with a 102 average, although Soutar came roaring back, reeling off six straight legs to draw level.
The Scot continued his charge with a stunning 152 checkout to wrap up a crucial fifth set, before following up a 12-darter early in set six with a brilliant 130 checkout to complete a famous win.
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World Darts Championship 2022/23 Day 11 Results
Wednesday December 28
Third Round
Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle 3-4 Jose de Sousa
Danny Noppert 2-4 Alan Soutar
Gary Anderson 1-4 Chris Dobey
Evening Session
Joe Cullen 4-0 Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Mensur Suljovic
Michael Smith 4-3 Martin Schindler
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