Sporting Life
Jason Lowe defeated Michael Smith (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)
Jason Lowe defeated Michael Smith (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Darts results: Michael Smith crashes out of World Championship to 500/1 outsider Jason Lowe as Nathan Aspinall survives a huge scare

By Sporting Life
Darts
Wed December 23, 2020 · 4y ago

A review of Wednesday's action at the PDC World Darts Championship, as Michael Smith crashed out to 500/1 shot Jason Lowe and Nathan Aspinall almost joined him.

EVENING SESSION

Michael Smith suffered one of the biggest World Championship upsets in recent years as he was sent packing by 500/1 pre-tournament outsider Jason Lowe on the final day of action before the Christmas break.

The world number four and 2019 runner-up was among the favourites to finally end his major title duck with the biggest of the lot but his form and talents deserted him on the Ally Pally stage, where he crashed out at his first hurdle for the second year in a row.

That's to take nothing away from the 48-year-old debutant, who was appearing in just his third televised PDC event since his flip of a coin decision - literally - to have a crack at Q School back in January.

Lowe insists he's under no pressure to earn money from darts while he continues to work full-time as a builder but his 'hobby' has now earned him a huge Christmas bonus of £25,000 thanks to reach the third round.

He averaged 96.24 compared to Smith's below-par 92.64 and fired in seven of the game's nine 180s while he was far more clinical on his doubles too, converting 11 of his 28 as his superstar opponent missed 11 of his 14.

Smith, who lost 3-1 to Luke Woodhouse 12 months ago, only managed two attempts at doubles in the opening two sets and failed to pin either of them as the heavier scoring Lowe whitewashed him in both to take full command.

Bully Boy eventually showed signs of life when moving 2-0 up in the third set and although Lowe hit back to level, he held his nerve valiantly under pressure with a 74 checkout - after finding single one with his first dart - to stay alive.

The comeback was to prove short-lived, however, as the Cradley Heat thrower gathered his composure again to reel off three more legs in succession without allowing Smith an attempt at the outer ring, while he sealed the job in style with a 101 checkout.

Reflecting on his life-changing decision to go to Q School, Lowe said: "I flipped a coin, it landed on heads and I went to Q School, I've not done too bad."

"This is the biggest win of my career and it feels amazing to do it at this tournament against one of the best players in the world. There was absolutely no pressure on me and that's what enabled me to play well. I think Michael put himself under pressure and I just played darts.

"I'm doing okay for my first year as a professional but I don't really consider myself as one. If I can keep this attitude then I can be a problem for the big players." 

Lowe's other appearances on TV came at this year's UK Open, where he reached the last 32 before losing a thriller with Michael van Gerwen 10-9, and the recent Players Championship Finals, which ended in a first-round defeat to Rob Cross.

World number six Nathan Aspinall almost suffered the same fate as Smith but managed to survive four match darts in an incredible battle with another debutant - albeit with far greater pedigree - in Scott Waites.

The former two-time Lakeside champion, who also won the Grand Slam of Darts as a BDO star back in 2010, got off to a stunning start when averaging over 108 in taking the opening set 3-1.

Aspinall's 160 checkout in the second set was in vain as he lost it 3-2 but he dug deep, as always, to take the next two sets and force a decider.

The 2019 UK Open champion edged ahead with brilliant 150 finish when Waites hoped to come back on 48 but that was almost nothing compared to the Yorkshireman taking out a stunning bull-25-bull checkout of 125 to go 2-1 up.

Waites, however, buckled when missing four match darts in the fourth leg and Aspinall punished him to level up before racing away with the sudden death leg.

"That was a tough game to play in. He was fantastic and that put pressure on my from the start but I never gave in," said Aspinall.

"I managed to put the pressure back on to him and, luckily for me, he missed opportunities and I got the result. Sometimes you need a game like that. I can kick on now. Thing happen for a reason and maybe I'll be World Champion." 

Dave Chisnall came from a set down to defeat Keegan Brown 3-1 in a win that included a 144 checkout and an average of 97.35. 

"Keegan is a tough opponent so I'm really pleased to get through that with a win," said Chisnall who will take on Danny Noppert after Christmas.

"I was hurt by losing that first set so I was determined to hit back and I came back well. I've watched a lot of the event and results have shown that no match is easy.

"I've played Danny Noppert many times and I know he is dangerous so I will have put in a good performance." 

Jermaine Wattimena moved into the third round with a convincing 3-1 victory over Wleshman Nick Kenny which sets up a clash with World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Wattimena only missed one double attempt in the first set, which he won 3-1 with the aid of a 92 checkout, before Kenny clinched set two by the same scoreline. 

A brilliant 156 finish helped Wattimena regain control before he went on to wrap up the victory, taking the third and fourth set by the same two-leg margin. 

AFTERNOON SESSION

Gary Anderson's bid to win a third World Championship title began in strong style with a 3-1 defeat of Madars Razma as he made light of pre-tournament fears about a recent leg injury.

The 2015 and 2016 champion overcame a shaky opening leg with back-to-back 14-darters as he claimed the first set without reply, before Razma landed a pair of 13-dart finishes in taking the second by a 3-1 margin.

Anderson came from a leg down to win the third set 3-1, taking out 101 for a 12-darter, before firing in a 161 finish in the fourth as he edged a deciding leg on tops to confirm his last 32 spot.

The Flying Scotsman also averaged 97 and fired in four 180s compared to his opponent's two.

"I'm seeing anything this year as a bonus so that's exactly how I'm looking at that win," said Anderson, who has been hampered by a knee injury in 2020.

"This year has been a bit of write-off in many ways so I'm nice and relaxed for this tournament and playing with no pressure at all.

"Others have been working and practising really hard for it, but not me. If I play okay then who knows what will happen here but next year I'm going to knuckle down and put the hard yards in."

Stephen Bunting set up a tasty third round tie with James Wade by coming from a set down to defeat Andy Boulton in a sudden-death leg, producing an 11-darter when it was most needed to keep his hopes alive.

Boulton followed a 129 checkout with an 11-darter as he took the first set 3-1 and also finished 149 to lead in the second, only for Bunting to take out 148 before edging the second in a deciding leg.

Former Lakeside Champion Bunting then moved 2-1 up in the tie as he took set three without reply, including a 109 checkout, before Boulton won the fourth in the same manner.

The deciding leg saw Bunting finish 120 to move 2-1 up, while Boulton posted a 14-darter to force a deciding leg in which he landed a 180 in response to his rival's 177 before the St Helens man took out 84 for an 11-darter to snatch victory.

Ricky Evans came from a set down to set up a third round showdown with Michael van Gerwen by defeating Mickey Mansell 3-1 in Wednesday's opening tie.

Mansell broke in the game's opening leg and secured the opening set with a 14-darter in leg four, only for Evans to level by taking the second with a 3-1 scoreline.

The Kettering thrower raced through set three in just 41 darts before finishing 104 and 102 in successive legs as he wrapped up victory by winning the fourth 3-1 to move into the last 32.

Mensur Suljovic progressed to the last 32 after averaging over 98 in a 3-1 defeat of Matthew Edgar. 

Suljovic raced through the first set without allowing his opponent any darts at doubles but Edgar edged the second set 3-2, thanks to finishes of 108, 68 and 64. 

Former Champions League winner Suljovic won another set 3-0 before a brilliant 140 checkout helped him seal the fourth 3-1 to complete an impressive win. 

"Today was a good performance from me because this has never been a good tournament for me," said Suljovic, who will take on Anderson in round three. 

"This year has not been good for me. It has been really hard. Even my son told me that I am not focused enough and that my career might be finished but I promised him that I would give it my best for the next five years.

"I'm looking forward to playing Gary next. He's a fantastic player and a gentleman. I will practice every day over Christmas to be ready for that match." 

World Darts Championship: Tuesday results

Wednesday December 23
Afternoon Session (1200 GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

  • Ricky Evans (93.61) 3-1 (88.89) Mickey Mansell (R2) (1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
  • Gary Anderson (96.86) 3-1 (91.92) Madars Razma (R2) (3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2)
  • Stephen Bunting (92.98) 3-2 (95.36) Andy Boulton (R2) (1-3, 3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2)
  • Mensur Suljovic (98.18) 3-1 (92.18) Matthew Edgar (R2) (3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)

Evening Session (1800 GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

  • Dave Chisnall (97.45) 3-1 (86.59) Keegan Brown (R2) (2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
  • Jermaine Wattimena (90.59) 3-1 (88.45) Nick Kenny (R2) (3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
  • Nathan Aspinall (902.7) 3-2 (96.27) Scott Waites (R2) (1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
  • Michael Smith (92.65) 1-3 (96.24) Jason Lowe (R2) (0-3, 0-3, 3-2, 0-3)

The third round will commence with eight matches on January 27

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TOURNAMENT DRAW AND DAILY SCHEDULE

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