Heartbroken Ross Smith was “devastated” after his record blitz of 19 maximums went to waste in a sudden-death cliff-hanger against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
European champion Smith squandered five match darts as the aubergine farmer edged a feisty encounter 4-3 in the tiebreaker, celebrating manically to mimic the former lorry driver's animated showboating. Smith had waved Van Duijvenbode sarcastically off stage during the break at 1-1, but the Dutchman had the last laugh, booking a last 16 showdown with compatriot Michael van Gerwen tomorrow.
The pair shared 31 trebles in the 20-bed lipstick, Smith with the lion's share of them, and he groaned: “I'm gutted – absolutely devastated. I can't believe I had three darts to win it from tops and didn't make them count.
“I couldn't care less about all the 180s – they are for the crowd to enjoy, but when you're up there it's all about winning.
“Although 2022 has been a special year for me, especially winning the European Championship, right now all I can feel is gutted.”
Van Duijvenbode will be the underdog against MVG, but he insisted: “I just thought, 'Give me one dart and I'll take it.'
“Michael is not unbeatable, but I'll definitely need to show my best game or I'll be going home tomorrow.”
The Dutchman also opened up on the tension that simmered on stage during the epic encounter at the World Championships, that had fans and pundits alike gripped.
Amid the drama there appeared to be plenty of needle between the pair with Van Duijvenbode mimicking Smith's celebrations while Smith also waved at his opponent as he left the stage at a break. The Dutchman also celebrated wildly after winning the match before hugging Smith.
Asked about the tension Van Duijvenbode said he believed his opponent was overdoing it during the contest.
“At some points, I was just thinking… I won’t say what I think," he told reporters. "I just thought he was a little bit overdoing it. Obviously, he’s playing in his own country, the crowd is more favouring the home player.”
