World Champion Michael Smith dumped out on opening day of the Gamers Championship Finals, as Michael van Gerwen kicked off his title defence with victory; we’re again for the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – dwell on Sky Sports activities
Final Up to date: 24/11/23 11:53pm
Michael Smith crashed out of the Gamers Championship within the first spherical
World champion Michael Smith crashed out of the Gamers Championship within the first spherical after struggling a shock defeat to Richard Veenstra, whereas Michael van Gerwen kicked off his title defence with victory over Callan Rydz.
Smith, who missed double 12 for a nine-dart end within the fourth leg, averaged simply 85.35 and had a highest checkout of 36 in a worryingly off-colour efficiency simply weeks forward of the defence of his world title.
World No 83 Veenstra missed 5 match darts earlier than ultimately taking out double 20 to seal a fully-deserved 6-3 victory in Minehead.
Grand Slam of Darts winner Luke Humphries prevented one other upset as he recovered from 4-2 all the way down to beat Martin Lukeman 6-4, whereas Gerwyn Value thrashed Ricky Evans 6-0 and Michael Van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 6-3.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen prevented the same destiny, averaging 97 to open his bid for a record-extending eighth Gamers Championship Finals title with a 6-3 win over an out-of-sorts Rydz.
The Dutch famous person will now meet eighth seed Ross Smith, after the previous European Champion averaged 98 and produced 120 and 130 finishes to wrap up a 6-2 rout of Scott Williams.
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Six weeks after successful his first main darts title, Luke Humphries secured one other with victory within the Grand Slam of Darts – might he now go one step additional with victory on the World Championships?
Newly-crowned Grand Slam champion Luke Humphries survived a scare to see off Martin Lukeman, reeling off 4 straight legs from 4-2 adrift to increase his successful run to eight video games.
“I struggled to find my range early on,” admitted Humphries, who averaged 99.67 to finish a powerful fightback.
“The belief is what has changed in my game. When I’m staring defeat in the face I am beginning to find ways to turn it around and win, and I never panicked at any point there.
“I am a two-time main champion now, however I need to preserve driving the crest of a wave, and my will to win remains to be better than ever.”
Gerwyn Price is eyeing his first premier televised ranking title since October 2021
Elsewhere, top seed Gerwyn Price underlined his credentials with a whitewash win against Ricky Evans, as he eyes his first premier televised ranking title since October 2021.
“I do know I am enjoying rather well. I am flying,” insisted Price, who will now take on 2012 runner-up Kim Huybrechts, who fought back from 5-3 down to topple Martin Schindler.
“I am practising properly and each time I’m shedding, I am averaging a ton-plus, and it is taking somebody to play rather well to knock me out of the event.
“The first game is always tough, but I felt quite comfortable tonight and the crowd were brilliant.”
Eire’s former World Cup finalist Steve Lennon claimed the scalp of UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, reeling off the final three legs with out reply to triumph 6-3.
Gamers Championship Finals
Friday November 24
First Spherical
Afternoon Session
Fundamental Stage
Ross Smith 6-2 Scott Williams
Ryan Searle 6-4 Boris Krcmar
Damon Heta 6-1 Jules van Dongen
Gian van Veen 6-1 Chris Landman
Rob Cross 6-3 Cameron Menzies
Josh Rock 6-4 Rowby-John Rodriguez
James Wade 6-2 William O’Connor
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Stephen Burton
Stage Two
Radek Szaganski 6-2 Ian White
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Daniel Klose
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-1 Mike De Decker
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-1 Christian Kist
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Gabriel Clemens 6-3 Connor Scutt
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 Jim Williams
Night Session
Fundamental Stage
Matt Campbell 6-5 Dylan Slevin
Chris Dobey 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Richard Veenstra 6-3 Michael Smith
Gary Anderson 6-5 Steve Beaton
Gerwyn Value 6-0 Ricky Evans
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Callan Rydz
Luke Humphries 6-4 Martin Lukeman
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Lee Evans
Stage Two
Kevin Doets 6-5 Jose de Sousa
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
Steve Lennon 6-3 Andrew Gilding
Niels Zonneveld 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Martin Schindler
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Joe Cullen 6-1 Jamie Hughes
Saturday November 25
Afternoon Session (1245-1700 GMT)
Second Spherical
Fundamental Stage
Gary Anderson vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Damon Heta vs Kevin Doets
Gerwyn Value vs Kim Huybrechts
Ross Smith vs Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall vs Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries vs Radek Szaganski
Jermaine Wattimena vs Richard Veenstra
Stage Two
Stephen Bunting vs Gian van Veen
Ryan Searle vs Ricardo Pietreczko
Matt Campbell vs Mario Vandenbogaerde
Maik Kuivenhoven vs Brendan Dolan
Rob Cross vs Luke Woodhouse
Josh Rock vs Gabriel Clemens
Ryan Joyce vs Joe Cullen
Jonny Clayton vs Niels Zonneveld
James Wade vs Steve Lennon
When is the World Darts Championship?
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The World Darts Championship begins on Friday, December 15 – dwell on Sky Sports activities!
The game’s greatest occasion might be held from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 as 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 from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – dwell on Sky Sports activities. Stream your favourite sports and more with NOW
