Title: Turning the Tide: Michael Smith's Near-Disaster and Champions' Resilience in Darts
Defending darts champions typically begin their title defense with a victory. However, Michael Smith, the 2023 World Darts Championship hero, had a close call in his opening match against Dutch debutant Kevin Doets. Despite facing an early challenge, Smith managed to turn the tide, securing his place in the tournament with a 3-1 win in the fifth set.
The beginning of Smith's title defense was reminiscent of a textbook favorite. The world champion quickly took the first leg, leaving Doets scrambling to keep up. However, Doets, a 25-year-old Dutchman qualifying for his first World Championship match, kept the momentum and won the second set in the final shot on double 5. The third set followed, as Doets played with consistency and precision, exploiting the few opportunities that presented themselves.
But Smith, the "Bully Boy," stood his ground. Facing elimination, he rallied his nerves, playing more consistently and raising his level to World Championship standard. A crucial finish in the first leg of the fifth set pushed Smith ahead, securing the victory and keeping his title defense alive.
Defending champions have an extensive history of winning their opening match in the World Darts Championship, but Smith's narrow victory marks a unique moment. Interestingly, the last world champion who only won their opening match in the title defense in the fifth set went on to win the championship two and a half weeks later.
Adrian Lewis accomplished this feat in 2012, overcoming Nigel Heydon with great difficulty to clinch the World Darts Championship double. Statistics suggest that moving past the first hurdle can significantly increase the chances of defending a title, regardless of how close the call may be.
For Smith, the experience bolstered his self-confidence. "I feel good. That was exactly the game I needed," Smith acknowledged in a post-match interview. "Now I'm off to work with Nathan Aspinall (sixth in the world rankings) and practice before I return for the rest of the tournament after Christmas."
The opening evening of the World Darts Championship in 2024 brought interesting developments. While Smith narrowly avoided an early exit, former World Championship finalist Simon Whitlock survived a close call against Paolo Nebrida, one of the four Philippine World Championship participants.
In stark contrast, Scotland's Cameron Menzies delivered a convincing performance, easily defeating Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, the only Austrian in the tournament. Despite leading an unusual daily routine, swapping between plumbing jobs and dart matches, Menzies continued to shine on the Ally Pally stage.
The coming day, featuring Gary Anderson, a two-time defending champion, promises an intriguing matchup against Simon Whitlock. If Anderson manages to regain his old form, he could be a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Menzies meets Dave Chisnall in the second round, a formidable opponent, but an opportunity for the Scot to further his rising darts career.
In the world of professional darts, unexpected close calls are not uncommon. However, these challenges force defending champions like Smith to adapt, innovate, and ultimately, grow in their resilience and determination. Overcoming the odds is not just a testament to their talents, but a celebration of their ability to rise above difficulty and embrace their role as world champions.
