The numbers in advance spoke in favor of Gerwyn Price and The Iceman was also keen to extend his world title. But Smith, the number 9 in the world, is on a roll.
It was hard against unsoft. Price won set 1 with an average of almost 110, Smith came to more than 106. The Englishman quickly took the upper hand in set 2 in just 4.5 minutes.
Smith beat Price with solid top scores (16 180s against 6) and high averages, but Price is number 1 for a reason and has always kept himself in the match.
Including a nine-darter in the 2nd leg of set 4. He threw his leg for the first time on TV with a minimum of 9 throws, so his joy was enormous.
It was also the third nine-darter at this World Cup, a first in World Cup history. Earlier this edition, Willie Borland and Darius Labanauskas (against Mike De Decker) threw a “perfect leg”.
Smith applauded, but was unimpressed and immediately threw in a 180 in the next leg. He grabbed the set and rocked Price.
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The Iceman seemed a bit lost, but at the right moment, Price struck. Smith left a 4-3 lead in sets, Price did not and was suddenly in pole position.
The Welshman also entered into a discussion with someone from the audience who shouted something to him. He wanted the person removed. Price seemed unleashed, Smith could already see the match slip through his fingers. But for the first time this tournament, Price missed not 1 but 2 match darts. On tops and on D10. Price was disappointed.
The great match got what it deserved: a decisive 9th set. Smith seemed calm, Price was some of his milk. Smith led 0-2 in legs, Price was able to react 1 more time, but then missed a checkout of 110. Smith had given him that chance with a missed match dart on D12, that didn’t happen to him a second time.
Bully Boy plays in the semi-finals on Sunday against his compatriot James Wade, the number 4. Smith is here with a mission: to rectify his loss in the final of the World Cup in 2019.
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