Michael Smith’s incredible comeback continues after he pulled off an almighty comeback and survived Chris Dobey’s 11 match dart misses to win 10-9 and advance to the quarter-finals against world number one Luke Humphries.
Smith has struggled with injuries and arthritis, but he’s finally getting redemption in 2022 in the tournament that started it all for him.
There were no legs separating the two in the first five legs and every leg was played with a throw as ‘Hollywood’ took a 3-2 lead.
Dobey found daylight with a crucial throw but ‘Bullyboy’ did not back down and scored an incredible 164 points on the bull to level the game at 5-5.
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Michael Smith tied Chris Dobey for the Grand Slam of Darts with a class-leading score of 164.
The fight then became clear as the St Helens man found himself with a double, a double finish, an 86 checkout on the bull and a 68 on top to move both legs in a tremendous moment.
Dobey eventually finished off a nervy leg to break a throw and level the game at 8-8, but Smith countered straight with a break of his own, putting one leg away. The 2022 Grand Slam champion missed two match darts to allow the Newcastle player to level the game at 9-9.
It was then a stunning final leg for the pair in the rain in the T20, with an absurd 18 darts missed between the pair and D4 eventually giving the game to Smith.
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Michael Smith talks about his version of events following his incredible comeback win over Chris Dobey.
“I’m not going to say he (Dobey) didn’t want it. Something happened and he kept missing and I was thankful for that. I shouldn’t have been in that game or in front of it and I never should have won it, but I’m going to take it,” Smith said. sky sports.
“I’m happy to be here, but it’s annoying. I try to reminisce about 2022 and force myself to work rather than have fun. I’ve just crossed the line, but I’m still in the quarterfinals.”
“It’s always a battle now. Every match I play now, I always go to the last leg, and I really hate it, and I feel like I’m putting my head down. I’ll have to watch the match again tomorrow. I made it to the next round, and I’m happy. I almost got thrown out on the last leg, so I think I’ll hold on all day.”
he plays now Humphreys He enjoyed a great time on the big stage on his debut, winning 10-3 against former World Youth Championship finalist Jurjen van der Velde in the quarter-finals.
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Highlights from the Grand Slam of Darts second round match between Luke Humphries and Jurjen van der Velde.
Humphries came into the game nursing suspected back spasms in his throwing arm, but showed no signs of it affecting his throwing. The world No. 1 faltered in scoring, but he was quickly up 5-0 with 10 darters, an 83 per cent doubles success rate and a stunning first session average of 117.42.
Van der Velde eventually got a consolation leg to bring the score to 7-1 and had a moment of applause from the crowd. Then came another leg on the 10th hole, where he once again finished D8 with a smile on his face, and the bull’s incredible 164 capped off his thrilling moment.
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Jurjen van der Velde made a stunning 164 against Luke Humphries as he blocked another leg from Cool Hand Luke.
Van der Velde’s show only stopped ‘Cool Hand’ for a moment, and the 2023 Grand Slam champion got back into business, eventually finishing victorious on top.
While Humphries put on a huge show, he admitted he was in “severe pain” and thought he should pull out of the tournament.
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Luke Humphries has revealed he almost withdrew from the tournament after waking up with cramps and needed three hours of physio to prepare for his match against Jurjen van der Velde.
“I don’t know how it happened. When I woke up this morning I couldn’t lift my head from the pillow,” Humphries said. sky sports.
“I think I had some back spasms. I thought I might have to take it out today, but my back was so bad.
“I would like to thank my doctor Mandy for giving me a three hour massage. I think the adrenaline was so high.
“I guess I’m just a fighter. I surprise myself sometimes. From almost getting pulled out this morning to playing like that – it’s something special.”
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Congratulations to Jurjen van der Velde on finally securing a victory over the dominant Luke Humphries in the second round of the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
Price sets up a dominant win over Evans.
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Gerwyn Price landed a big fish against Martin Schindler in the second round of the Grand Slam of Darts to take an 8-6 lead in the match.
Gerwin Price Germany no. 1 Showed his class with a dominant 10-6 win over Martin Schindler.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Price dominated the first session with a 4-1 lead, while Schindler found no consistency in his scoring and averaged in the mid-80s.
The second session was a similar story to the first, but this time Schindler held on well to 6-4 despite being visibly irritated with his own play, and the ‘Iceman’s’ avoided a double despite dartting to clinch nine of the ten legs played.
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Gerwyn Price doubled the roar as he made 95 to take a leg out of his match against Martin Schindler.
The big moment came when Price reeled in ‘Big Fish’ to take control once again and go in front 8-5 through stoppage time before finishing on top and letting out his signature roar.
“It was a difficult game. Martin didn’t come close to what he was capable of. Towards the end we started playing a little better, but I was happy to get across the finish line in the end,” Price said. sky sports.
“We should have gone 8-2, but I was disappointed and I blamed myself for him coming back, but I’m proud of myself for getting through it.
“It (my start) was partly to do with the crowd. I don’t usually get this support but they were fantastic.
“This is my favorite tournament. I always do well here. Now that the crowd is behind me, I think I can do even better!”
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Gerwin Price reacts after defeating Martin Schindler in the second round of the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
he faces now Ricky Evans Came back from the jaws of defeat with a 10-9 decision win over Luke Woodhouse.
Neither player looked comfortable throughout the encounter but the patch surged and Woodhouse broke away with an 8-5 lead before missing two darts for a 9-5 advantage.
Evans then had his moment as his signature quick throws got even faster as he fought back to make it 8-7, 9-9 and top of 76 to close out the big win.
What happens on Thursday?
The last 16 rounds out on Thursday with all four second-rounders, including Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Josh Rock, competing for a place in the quarter-finals.
Thursday 13 November 1900 (Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event)
4x second round (Best of 19 bridges)
Lucas Benig v Nico Springer
Josh Rock v Conor Scutt
Luke Littler v Wessel Nyman
Michael van Gerwen v Danny Noppert
Who will win the Mr. Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch live on Sky Sports seven days a week. Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event air live from 7pm on Thursday. Stream the best sports including darts with NOW
