Chris Dobey sent out a statement with a stunning straight-sets victory over defending champion Michael Smith, as Michael van Gerwen also powered through to the quarter-finals on a dramatic night at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Smith’s hopes of defending the Sid Waddell Trophy were dashed by a dazzling Dobey, with the 2023 Masters champion posting a third consecutive ton-plus average to book his place in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.
Dobey signalled his intent with a stunning 130 checkout to kick off proceedings, and after wrapping up set one, he doubled his lead after Smith missed a dart at tops to level the contest.
He then moved a set away from glory with clinical 100 and 87 combinations, before Smith struck back with a magnificent 140 finish to open set four.
However, Dobey was unfazed, following up a 14-dart break with back-to-back 12-darters to cap off another imperious display – which also ends Smith’s 12-month reign as world number one on the PDC Order of Merit.
Van Gerwen also breezed through to Monday’s quarter-finals with a whitewash win, seeing off Stephen Bunting.
Bunting had produced a brace of ton-topping averages to reach the last 16, but was blown away by a merciless Van Gerwen, who has progressed to the last eight without conceding a set.
The opening nine legs of the contest went with throw, but Van Gerwen struck the first decisive blow with a 14-dart break of throw to establish a two-set lead.
Bunting – who landed a 138 finish in set one – attempted to hit back with a 125 outshot midway through set three, although Van Gerwen refused to relent, sealing his progress with ominous ease.
Earlier in the day, Gary Anderson recovered from a sluggish start to power through to the last 16, averaging over 99 on his way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Boris Krcmar, which completed the third round action.
Elsewhere, Raymond van Barneveld will take on teenage sensation Luke Littler in a mouth-watering last 16 clash on Saturday, after punishing a profligate display from Jim Williams to celebrate a hard-fought 4-1 success.
Williams squandered five darts to win a scrappy opening set, and Van Barneveld capitalised to open his account, only for the Welshman to snatch a second set decider to level proceedings at one set apiece.
The Dutch legend responded by reeling off eight consecutive legs to move to the brink of victory, before defying a late wobble to progress to the fourth round for the first time since 2018.
In Friday’s opener, Damon Heta won through a rollercoaster seven-set clash against Berry van Peer, in a contest featuring 24 maximums.
