Michael Smith exits Players Championship in first round after shock defeat to Richard Veenstra | Darts News

World Champion Michael Smith dumped out on opening day of the Players 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 – reside on Sky Sports

Michael Smith crashed out of the Players Championship in the first round

World champion Michael Smith crashed out of the Players Championship in the first round 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 in 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 down to beat Martin Lukeman 6-4, whereas Gerwyn Price thrashed Ricky Evans 6-0 and Michael Van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 6-3.

Reigning champion Van Gerwen prevented an analogous destiny, averaging 97 to open his bid for a record-extending eighth Players 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 in the Grand Slam of Darts – may 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 prolong his successful run to eight video games.

“I struggled to find my range early on,” admitted Humphries, who averaged 99.67 to full a formidable 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’m a two-time main champion now, however I need to preserve driving the crest of a wave, and my will to win continues 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’m taking part in very well. I’m 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’m practising properly and each time I’m dropping, I’m averaging a ton-plus, and it is taking somebody to play very well to knock me out of the match.

“The first game is always tough, but I felt quite comfortable tonight and the crowd were brilliant.”

Ireland’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.

Players Championship Finals
Friday November 24
First Round
Afternoon Session
Main 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

Evening Session
Main 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 Price 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 Round
Main Stage
Gary Anderson vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Damon Heta vs Kevin Doets
Gerwyn Price 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 – reside on Sky Sports!

The sport’s largest occasion can 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 can watch all of the motion reside on our devoted Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – reside on Sky Sports. Stream your favorite sports activities and extra with NOW