Michael Smith survives Kevin Doets scare to kick-start World Championship defence

Michael Smith hit back from 2-1 down to deny Kevin Doets and launch his World Darts Championship title defence on opening night at Alexandra Palace.

Reigning champion Smith turned on the style in the closing stages to book his place in Round Three, denying Dutch debutant Doets in a high-quality contest.

The world number one was facing the prospect of becoming the first defending champion to lose their opening match in the sport’s showpiece event since 2009, before he fought back magnificently to keep his hopes alive.

Smith showed no sign of early nerves on his Ally Pally return, wrapping up the opening set with a ton-plus average to send out an early statement in the capital.

However, Doets – who dispatched Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz 3-0 in the opening match of the tournament earlier in the evening – halted Smith’s charge to restore parity.

The St Helens star responded with a spectacular 150 checkout midway through set three, although Doets was unfazed, reeling off legs of 12, 14 and 13 darts to move a set away from a famous win.

Nevertheless, Smith followed up a 13-darter with a brilliant 121 on the bull en route to clinching set four, and a majestic 142 checkout in the opening leg of set five catapulted him to victory.

“I feel good. It’s a game that I needed,” admitted Smith, who averaged 100, landed five 180s and pinned 50 per cent of his attempts at a double.

“It was nice to show that I’ve still got the fight and I still know how to battle back, and I think in the last seven or eight legs I played really well.

“I kept my focus and I hit a couple of key shots at the right time. That’s what I’ve been doing in practice, and this result has given me a big confidence boost.

“The worst thing he did was give it the big one. I know people have got to give it large – I gave it the big one when I checked the 142 because I knew it would hurt him – but he was doing it at the wrong time in the game.”

Friday’s opening night saw two other First Round ties take place, as 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock survived a scare to win through a deciding-set clash against former PDC Asian Championship runner-up Paolo Nebrida.

Nebrida crashed in six 180s in an eye-catching display, and the Philippines thrower kicked off proceedings with a 116 checkout on his way to a clean sweep in set one.

The 28-year-old then missed a dart at double 16 to extend his lead in a dramatic second set decider, and Whitlock profited to turn the contest around and move into a 2-1 lead.

Nebrida responded by levelling at two apiece before kicking off set five with a 121 checkout, but Whitlock avoided a shock exit, winning the next three legs without reply to progress.

“I’m exhausted after that,” admitted Whitlock, who will now face two-time World Champion Gary Anderson in a blockbuster second round tie on Saturday night.

“That was a really tough match. Paolo played so well, but I think experience won that game for me.

“I’m a big 180 hitter and they weren’t there today, but tomorrow is a different day. Maybe they will turn, maybe I will turn up and me and Gary will have a great game.”

Meanwhile, Cameron Menzies moved through to a showdown against 2021 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall after an impressive straight-sets success over Rusty-Jake Rodriguez.

Menzies, who prepared for his opening round clash with a plumbing shift this morning, converted seven of his first nine attempts at a double to race into a two-set lead against a frustrated Rodriguez.

The Austrian youngster looked poised to halve the deficit in set three, although he paid a heavy price for missing four darts to seal the set, as Menzies capitalised to wrap up a commanding victory.

“I was so nervous today, because I knew that game meant a lot,” revealed Menzies, who is battling to retain his Tour Card.

“Winning that game meant the world to me, and I think going to work today helped me relax, because it made me realise that darts is a hobby for me.

“Obviously I would like to be in a situation in the future where I can give up work, because I know in spells I can score as well as the best, but it’s still my finishing that separates the top ten from a player like me.”

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World Darts Championship 2023/24 Day One Results

Friday December 15

7pm-11pm
Kevin Doets 3-0 Stowe Buntz (R1)
Cameron Menzies 3-0 Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (R1)
Simon Whitlock 3-2 Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Michael Smith 3-2 Kevin Doets (R2)