Dobey ends Smith’s reign as champion and MvG hammers Bunting

On a spectacular night at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, Chris Dobey made a statement with a stunning straight-sets victory over defending champion Michael Smith, while Michael van Gerwen also advanced to the quarter-finals.

A quartet of PDC World Champions were in action on the 12th day of action at Alexandra Palace, but Smith’s chances of defending the Sid Waddell Trophy were shattered by a scintillating Dobey.

The 2023 Masters winner scored a third consecutive ton-plus average to keep his own pursuit of the Sid Waddell Trophy alive, defying Smith’s 102 average to advance to the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.

Dobey began proceedings with a fantastic 130 checkout, and after finishing set one, he increased his lead after Smith missed a dart at tops to tie the contest.

The Bedlington star then went a set closer to victory with clinical 100 and 87 combinations, before Smith responded with a stunning 140 finish to start set four.

Dobey, on the other hand, remained unfazed, following up a 14-dart break with back-to-back 12-darters to cap off another masterful effort, ending Smith’s 12-month tenure as world number one on the PDC Order of Merit.

“I didn’t even feel comfortable up there tonight,” claimed 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.”

Four last 32 matches and two last 16 confrontations were played in the capital on Friday, with Van Gerwen also advancing to Monday’s quarter-finals with a whitewash victory over Stephen Bunting.

Bunting had delivered a pair of ton-topping averages to reach the last 16, but was destroyed by a merciless Van Gerwen, who has advanced to the final eight without dropping a set.

The first nine legs of the match were throw, but Van Gerwen landed the first important blow with a 14-dart throw break to take a two-set lead.

Bunting, who had a 138 finish in set one, sought to respond with a 125 outshot midway through set three, but Van Gerwen refused to relent, sealing his progress with ominous ease.

“I’m happy with my performance,” declared the Dutch supremo, who averaged 99, landed nine 180s and pinned 44% of his attempts at double.

“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 slow start to advance to the last 16, averaging over 99 on his way to a convincing 4-1 victory over Boris Krcmar, which concluded the third round play.

The Croatian number one conjured up a magnificent 161 checkout to win the first set against throw, but Anderson quickly regained his form, recovering parity before nailing 11 and 12-darters to take the lead 2-1.

Anderson averaged 112 in a high-quality third set, and he extended his charge in the later rounds, slamming in nine maximums to set up a last-eight clash with fellow veteran Brendan Dolan.

“When Boris won the first set I thought it was going to be a struggle,” conceded popular star Anderson, who is bidding to become the first Scot to lift 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 face teenage phenom Luke Littler in a mouth-watering last 16 showdown on Saturday, after punishing Jim Williams’ profligacy with a hard-fought 4-1 victory.

Williams blew five darts to win a tough first set, and Van Barneveld took advantage to open his account, only for the Welshman to win a second set decider to tie the match at one set apiece.

The Dutch veteran reacted by firing off eight straight legs to get closer to win, before overcoming a late wobble to advance to the fourth round for the first time since 2018.

“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 even 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 the first match of the day, Damon Heta defeated Berry van Peer in a thrilling seven-set match that included 24 maximums.

Inspired by a 142 checkout in the first exchanges, Van Peer stormed into a two-set lead before Heta rallied, winning nine of the next twelve legs to put herself in position for a superb comeback triumph.

Heta’s momentum was stopped by the Dutchman with a powerful 108 checkout and an 11-darter to force a decisive set. However, the top-ranked Australian player then followed up a 114 kill with an incredible 151 outshot to win the match.

In the meantime, Jonny Clayton defeated Krzysztof Ratajski in a tough match to set up an intriguing matchup with 2018 champion Rob Cross in the round of 16.

After building a two-set lead early on, Clayton punished Ratajski’s missing doubles at key points to win with a 91 average and five maximums.