Darts World Cup: After the victory, Michael Smith explains the reason for his shaky performance

Sport Darts World Cup

After the victory, Michael Smith explains the reason for his shaky performance

As of: 12:36 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes

Not very world-class: Michael Smith disappointed in his third round match

Quelle: Getty Images/Warren Little

Michael Smith will have to improve significantly to defend his title at the Darts World Championship. Against Madars Razma he got away with a black eye. The number one explained that the reason for the poor performance was also his opponent’s tactics.

As expected, defending champion Michael Smith made it to the round of 16 at the Darts World Cup and has thus defended his first place in the Order of Merit, at least for the time being. However, his performance in the 4-1 win against Madars Razma was not convincing. In his opening match on December 15th against the Dutchman Kevin Doets, he had already revealed some weaknesses at the beginning of the match. Against Razma, the world champion wobbled even more often. In a round of 16 against Ross Smith or Chris Dobey it will probably not be enough to advance without an improvement in performance.

“It wasn’t my best game. But he (Razma, editor’s note) constantly changed his speed, sometimes throwing faster, sometimes slower. Madars is a nice guy, but it wasn’t easy for me,” Smith said after the win.

The 33-year-old fell behind right from the start against number 32 in the Order of Merit. With the score at 1:2, he was able to avoid losing the set with a 130, Razma was ready with eight points remaining. In the decider, however, the Latvian crossed the finish line with a whopping 261 point lead.

Fair loser: Madars Razma (left) congratulates Michael Smith on his victory

Quelle: Getty Images/Warren Little

Set two then went more or less confidently 3-1 to the “Bully Boy”, who seemed to be on track at the latest when he secured the break right at the start of round three. However, there was no consistency, so Razma was able to take advantage and compensate for the loss of serve. As a result, it was solely due to the Latvian’s lack of callousness that Smith still secured the third set 3-1.

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Even the lead did not give the world champion any security. Razma took serve from the favorite at the start of the fourth round and just three legs later had two darts in his hand to equalize the set. However, the 35-year-old missed both, which Smith punished on double 10 and was given 18 darts of time by his equally weak opponent in the decider to make it 3-1 after sets – ultimately the game-deciding scene.

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Six perfect darts from Smith in the final leg of the match once again indicated his world championship level, but the average of 93.73 spoke a clearer language. Smith hit 45.2 percent of his double-court attempts.

Previously, Michael van Gerwen had reached the round of 16 much more convincingly. The world number two from the Netherlands eliminated compatriot Richard Veenstra 4-0 at express speed. And child prodigy Luke Littler didn’t show any weakness either. The 16-year-old Englishman defeated Canadian Matt Campbell 4:1.

The next hurdle overcome: Luke Littler (left) clearly defeated Matt Campbell

Source: dpa/Steven Paston

Darts World Cup, results on December 27th

3rd round:

Scott Williams (ENG) – Martin Schindler (D/26) 4:3 n.V. (1:3; 0:3; 3:0; 3:2; 0:3; 3:1; 4:2)

Dave Chisnall (ENG/11) – Gabriel Clemens (D/22) 4:1 (3:1; 3:0; 3:1; 1:3; 3:2)

Rob Cross (ENG/8) – Jeffrey de Graaf (SWE) 4:2 (3:2; 3:0; 2:3; 3:2; 1:3; 3:1)

Matt Campbell (CAN) – Luke Littler (ENG) 1:4 (0:3; 0:3; 2:3; 3:2; 1:3)

Michael van Gerwen (NED/2) – Richard Veenstra (NED) 4:0 (3:1; 3:1; 3:2; 3:0)

Michael Smith (ENG/1) – Madars Razma (LAT/32) 4:1 (2:3; 3:1; 3:1; 3:2; 3:1)

Darts World Cup, schedule for December 28th

3rd round (from 1:45 p.m.):

Florian Hempel (D) – Stephen Bunting (ENG/18)

Joe Cullen (ENG/14) – Ryan Searle (ENG/19)

Ross Smith (ENG/16) – Chris Dobey (ENG/17)

3rd round (from 8 p.m.):

Gerwyn Price (WAL/5) – Brendan Dolan (NIR/28)

Luke Humphries (ENG/3) – Ricardo Pietreczko (D)

Ricky Evans (ENG) – Daryl Gurney (NIR/27)