Following an upset at Alexandra Palace, Michael Smith lost his title as world champion.
Chris Dobey pounded the reigning champion, who ultimately lost 4-0 despite a subpar showing. Because he missed eight of his twelve attempts at a double, Smith will not finish 2023 as the world’s top player; Michael Van Gerwen will take that spot instead.
After a merciless performance in which Smith equaled his scoring prowess and both players averaged over 102, Dobey—who recently became a father for the second time—insisted he was ready to stay.
Following his victory, the underdog remarked, “I’m not looking forward to the next time I Michael is me on stage! He let me in and, to be honest, missed a lot of doubles. Tonight, I felt a little uneasy and nervous; perhaps this was because I was portraying a close friend of mine.
But because he was the world champion and ranked number one, we were a little overwhelmed by the moment on the grandest platform of them all. I just remained composed and persevered. Early doors, he was hammering in 180s for amusement. I realized that I would have to get out of bed. I believe that tonight’s doubling benefitted me, as I’m currently in another quarterfinal.
But we were a little taken aback by the event on the biggest stage of them all because he was the world champion and rated one. I just kept my cool and kept going. He was having fun banging in 180s early doors. I would have to get out of bed, I knew. I think that having doubled tonight helped me because I’m in the quarterfinals right now.
It’s a beautiful feeling, but we’ve had a lot of fights and he’s given me a lot of physical abuse. It’s fantastic to just get back at him again. He will overcome it because he is more resilient and stronger than that. I never would have came here to compete if I didn’t think I could win. Who knows
