Last year Kevin Doets lost to Michael Smith in an epic match at the PDC World Darts Championship, and now took revenge on the Dutchman known as 'Hawkeye' with a 3-2 win in a tie-break epic at Ally Pally.
Doets and Smith were weak for most of the first round and it was the tiebreak scenario that took this game to a very high level. Michael Smith saved himself into overtime thanks to epic checkouts.
But the former world champion and one of the main favorites to win the title this year was eliminated early as he secured his place in the third round with an average of 97 points and nine 180s.
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Smith started well, taking the first set in three consecutive legs, with Doets missing 11 darts at doubles. But Doets managed to make it 1-1. He hit 90 for an 11-darter and made it 3-1 at the right moment, leveling with three 180s.
Smith took the third set without reply to gain the upper hand, but Doets wasn't done yet as the Dutchman managed to win the fourth set, sending the game into a deciding fifth set.
Doets had a chance to win the game, missing a first match dart on double 20. But Smith gave him no chance with an incredible 84 checkout on double 11, forcing the first tiebreak of the tournament on the biggest stage of all caused a sensation.
The Dutchman managed the break with an 81 checkout and took the lead. But Doets, despite an almost flawless performance, couldn't play another match dart and had to shake his head when Smith went out to make it 3-3 and hit straight back.
Smith scored 94 points with two double 19s and another screamer. “Bully Boy” seemed to have the upper hand, but Doets continued to shine. He held the throw under heavy pressure with a 54 checkout to make it 4-4;
Doets hit a 180 to leave 90 remaining, Smith missed two darts to 81 and Doets responded with a 90 on the bullseye to break and needed just one more leg to win. He started with a 180 on his own throw to avert the sudden death leg.
Doets missed the big number for his second dart of the match but Smith had no chance of saving himself at 167 and the Dutchman hit double five to seal victory.
