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Michael Smith fired a nine-dart leg on his way to a 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in an incredible final at Alexandra Palace; The win was the Briton’s first world title and moved him to world number 1 for the first time
By Ali Stafford at Alexandra Palace
Last updated: 03/01/23 11:57
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Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from nine-darters before Michael Smith completed his feat in the World Championship Final.
Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from nine-darters before Michael Smith completed his feat in the World Championship Final.
New world No 1 Michael Smith has set his sights on darts dominance after following up his Grand Slam of Darts victory with the elusive World Darts Championship title at Alexandra Palace.
Smith fired a sensational nine-darter in the second set of a 7-4 victory over third-seeded Michael van Gerwen, who nearly produced a nine-darter of his own in the same leg, before winning four of the last five sets to secure the biggest victory of his career to date.
The Briton’s success was revenge for losing to Van Gerwen in the 2019 final, with Smith – who was also runner-up in last year’s contest – expecting the pair to clash in many Alexandra Palace finals in the coming years.
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Michael Smith produced a phenomenal final leg to win the World Championship Final against Michael van Gerwen.
“I think [we would] give the crowd what they deserve and they got a magical night,” Smith said Sky Sports. “I’ve said that if I get a Grand Slam, eventually I’ll be a world champion and I want to do what this guy did [Van Gerwen] it’s over – I want to take over this sport, but it’s still there.
“Now it’s 1-1 at Worlds and I’m taking a chance, but he knows and I know that this won’t be the last time we play here. I’ve been saying it for years, he’s the best archer and we have to take a chance and I finally took it.”
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Michael Smith says the crowd got a magical night after beating Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship Final.
Smith immediately ran to his family to celebrate the win with them, with ‘Bully Boy’ admitting it will be hard to top the experience of winning the World Championship for the first time.
“Two of the greatest moments of my life, my two children, but if I didn’t have children, it would be!” Smith added. “From my sports memory, it’s the biggest, I don’t think it will be the top. Even if I win by a second, it won’t be the top that I feel.”
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Take a look back at the 2023 World Championships as Michael Smith is crowned champion.
Van Gerwen: Smith ‘deserved’ victory
Smith claimed that Van Gerwen “let him die” and gave him an “unworthy” chance during the victory, although the Dutchman quickly paid tribute to his playing partner for an impressive win.
“At this moment they don’t give the game any justice!” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “This guy is playing phenomenally – we all know that!
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Michael van Gerwen is full of praise for Michael Smith after losing in the World Championship Final.
“Of course, I’m not taking any chances, but he’s there at the time he needs to be. He deserves it, he played well there and fair play to him.”
Van Gerwen posted 15 maximums and averaged 99.58 in a thrilling final, where he led 3-2 before losing four of the next five sets, with the Dutchman frustrated at the chances he squandered in a tight contest.
“I had two arrows in the second set, when he [Smith] throwing a nine-darter,” Van Gerwen added. “There are some darts in the seventh flight and in the ninth flight I have three darts to win and when you don’t hit someone, he will throw everything at you.
“I didn’t play well in the last few sets, but you can only blame yourself for that. It doesn’t take anything away from Michael, because I played brilliantly the whole game.
“I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be, but that’s part of the game unfortunately and you have to take it on the chin.”
Watch Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen both in action in Cazoo Premier League darts 2023, live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on February 2 and runs every Thursday until the play-offs at The O2 in London on May 25.
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