Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock reach World Darts Championship second round
Justin Pipe through to showdown with Phil Taylor after edging out Bernie Smith
Thursday 3 December 2020 16:03, UK
Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock ensured the big guns battled back on day seven of the World Darts Championship, but both were pushed all the way at Alexandra Palace.
With 10 seeds already sent packing, 2010 runner-up Whitlock eventually overcame 21-year-old German Martin Schindler in a tension-filled encounter that featured 56 missed darts at double, while Smith prevailed in an entertaining affair with Steve Lennon.
Both will need to improve if they are to enjoy a run in the tournament, Smith in particular who faces a mouthwatering showdown with Rob Cross in the last 32.
Justin Pipe came through a gruelling battle against 53-year-old qualifier, Bernie Smith, who had darts to win the match. The 27th seed will now face 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the second round.
Michael Smith, the world No 13, booked his date with 2017 sensation Cross by mixing 10 180s with an astonishing 23 missed darts at double and was punished at every opportunity by Lennon before eventually sealing his last-32 place.
Michael Smith, averaging just over three seconds to throw his three darts, won six of the opening eight legs - firing five maximums in the process - and blitzing his way to within a set of the match.
Having stormed to the first set, Michael Smith sealed a 2-0 lead with a brilliant 150 finish but Lennon was undaunted and pinned double one to get on the board. 'Bully Boy' then surrendered a two-leg lead in the fourth as 'Cool Hand' levelled the match at 2-2.
In the deciding set,Michael Smith again edged his way to a 2-0 advantage before finally pinning double 10 to seal his place in the last 32.
With Smith safely avoiding the first-round fate of Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Dave Chisnall, would 10th seed Whitlock do the same?
The Aussie took the opening set, pinning double 10 to punish a nervy Schindler who rallied in the second to level the match, despite The Wizard's 11-darter.
An astonishing 31 missed darts at double saw the third set open with a whimper but Schindler pinned double one to hold throw before Whitlock did likewise as there remained nothing to separate the pair.
Whitlock eventually pinched the set for a 2-1 lead and never looked back, sealing a date with either Devon Petersen or Darren Webster in a quarter of the draw that has opened up following the departure of 'Jackpot' on Tuesday night.
And he did so in style, firing a fantastic 127 finish, reminiscent of the finishing power he displayed in his run to the final almost 10 years ago.
In the final match, Bernie Smith, making his World Championship debut, lost six of the opening seven legs to trail 2-0 against Pipe but rallied to force the contest into a deciding set before missing match darts of his own.
With the match locked at two legs apiece, Pipe gritted his teeth to win back-to-back legs and eventually prevail and ensure a clean sweep for the seeds in this tournament of shocks.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues on Thursday night with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts and ending with the final on New Year's Day.
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