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Chris Dobey dethrones Michael Smith at the World Darts Championship as Van Gerwen batters Bunting

Jamie Shaw in World Darts Championship 30 Dec 2023

Dobey celebrates against Smith (Photo by Kieran Cleeves/PDC)

Chris Dobey ended Michael Smith’s reign as World Champion with an emphatic whitewash win in the Last 16, as Michael van Gerwen thrashed Stephen Bunting.

Day 12 at Alexandra Palace featured a quartet of PDC World Champions in action, as Smith’s hopes of defending the Sid Waddell Trophy were dashed by a dazzling Dobey.

The Masters champion posted a third consecutive ton-plus average to continue his own pursuit of world title glory, defying a 102 average from Smith to book his place in the Quarter-Finals on New Year’s Day.

Dobey signalled his intent with a stunning 130 checkout to kick off proceedings, and after wrapping up set one, he doubled his lead after Smith missed a dart at tops to level the contest.

The Bedlington star then moved a set away from glory with clinical 100 and 87 combinations, before Smith struck back with a magnificent 140 finish to begin set four.

However, Dobey was unfazed, following up a 14-dart break with back-to-back 12-darters to cap off another imperious display – which also ends Smith’s 12-month reign as world number one on the Order of Merit.

“I didn’t even feel comfortable up there tonight,” insisted Dobey, despite averaging 102 and producing a trio of ton-plus checkouts.

“Michael is a great lad. I’ve got all the time in the world for him, but there could only be one winner and I’m pleased it was my night.

“I don’t think anybody underestimates me; they know what I can do. I’ve been pretty consistent in this competition, and I’m going all out. I want to be the champion.”

Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen also breezing through to the Last Eight with a whitewash win, brushing aside Bunting 4-0.

Bunting had produced a brace of ton-topping averages to reach the Last 16, but was blown away by a merciless Van Gerwen – who has progressed to the Quarter-Finals without conceding a set.

The opening nine legs of the contest went with throw, but Van Gerwen struck the first decisive blow with a 14-dart break of throw to establish a two-set lead.

Bunting, who landed a superb 138 checkout in set one, attempted to hit back with a 125 outshot midway through set three, although Van Gerwen refused to relent, sealing his progress with ease.

“I’m happy with my performance,” declared the Dutchman, who averaged 99 and fired in nine 180s.

“We all know Stephen Bunting was playing phenomenal darts, so I wanted to bring my A-game. I wasn’t at my best, but I think in patches I did the right things at the right moments.

“I can do a lot better, but there’s still a long way to go. The fighting spirit is there, and I’m feeling good, I’m feeling comfortable.”

Earlier in the day, Gary Anderson recovered from a sluggish start to power through to the Last 16, averaging 99 on his way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Boris Krcmar.

The Croatian number one conjured up a majestic 161 checkout to win the opening set against throw, but Anderson soon found his range, restoring parity before landing 11 and 12-darters to move 2-1 ahead.

Anderson averaged 112 in a high-quality third set, and he continued his charge in the latter stages, crashing in nine maximums to create a last 16 tussle against fellow veteran Brendan Dolan.

“When Boris won the first set I thought it was going to be a struggle,” admitted Anderson, who is bidding to become the first Scot to claim a hat-trick of World Championship titles.

“When I walked out – I have never had a reception like that before. They come from all over the planet to watch this game, and we have to thank them.

“Brendan is a dark horse, a class act. People write him off, and you never should write Brendan Dolan off. It’s going to be tough!”

Raymond van Barneveld will take on teenage sensation Luke Littler in a mouth-watering clash on Saturday after punishing a wasteful display of finishing from Jim Williams to close out a dominant 4-1 win.

Williams squandered five darts at doubles to win a scrappy opening set, and Van Barneveld capitalised to open his account, only for the Welshman to snatch a second set decider to level proceedings at one set apiece.

The Dutch legend responded by reeling off eight consecutive legs to move to the brink of victory, before defying a late wobble to progress to the fourth round for the first time since the 2017/2018 event.

“I never played my A-game, but I am so happy to be through,” said Van Barneveld, who will now take on an opponent 40 years his junior in a battle of the generations.

“I know what Jim is capable of. He beat James Wade last year, Peter Wright this year, so I was warned, but he missed some crucial doubles today.”

Van Barneveld’s victory in the PDC World Championship came in January 2007 – 20 days before Littler was born – and the Dutchman added: “I cannot wait to play Luke tomorrow night.

“When I was 16, I was playing with Lego and Playmobil! This kid is amazing. He is quality, and I am so looking forward to that game.”

In Friday’s opener, Damon Heta won through a rollercoaster seven-set clash against Berry van Peer, in a contest featuring 24 maximums.

Van Peer – buoyed by a 142 checkout in the early exchanges – raced into a two-set lead before Heta hit back, winning nine of the next 12 legs to move to the cusp of a fine comeback victory.

The Dutchman halted Heta’s charge with a clutch 108 checkout followed by an 11-darter to set up a deciding set, only for the Australian number one to follow up a 114 kill with a spectacular 151 match-winning outshot.

Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton came through a hard-fought encounter against Krzysztof Ratajski to set up an enticing Last 16 tussle against 2018 champion Rob Cross.

Clayton started strongly to establish a two-set cushion, before punishing missed doubles from Ratajski at crucial junctures to prevail with a 91 average and five maximums to his name.

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World Darts Championship 2023/24 Day 12 Results

Friday December 29

Afternoon Session
Damon Heta 4-3 Berry van Peer (R3)
Jonny Clayton 4-2 Krzysztof Ratajski (R3)
Jim Williams 1-4 Raymond van Barneveld (R3)

Evening Session
Gary Anderson 4-1 Boris Krcmar (R3)
Michael van Gerwen 4-0 Stephen Bunting (R4)
Michael Smith 0-4 Chris Dobey (R4)

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Chris Dobey dethrones Michael Smith at the World Darts Championship as Van Gerwen batters Bunting

World Darts Championship 2023/24 Day 12 Results

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