Grand Slam of Darts: Michael Smith wins in Wolverhampton to end his title duck | Darts News

Michael Smith finally breaks his big duck as he seals glory at the Darts Grand Slam in Wolverhampton The World Darts Championship is coming to Sky Sports from December 15 to January 3 at Alexandra Palace

Michael Smith finally took home a major title at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton on Sunday

Michael Smith finally ended his career at the top by claiming his first televised title with a dominant win over Nathan Aspinall in the final match of the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday.

Smith – who had lost in eight previous finals – achieved his goal with a 16-5 win against Aspinall in Sunday’s showpiece at Aldersley Leisure Village.

St Helens star Smith was in her fourth televised final in 2022, having lost in the World Championship, UK Open and European Championship earlier this year.

However, the 31-year-old produced a great display to claim the top prize of £150,000 and become the seventh winner of the abandoned Eric Bristow Trophy.

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Smith says he’s used to talking last and doesn’t know how to celebrate after winning in Wolverhampton.

“I’m used to talking last time,” laughed Smith, who, at 96, hit nine 180s and converted 50 percent of his two attempts to seal a landmark victory.

“I was really scared. In the first laps I was shaking like crazy, but then Nathan started to miss a couple of laps and let me in.

“Nathan is a good player and it would have been a completely different game.

“Every time I shot I put it out, then I started to get my goals but my doubles stayed, happy days!

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Smith was filled with anxiety on the court after winning the Grand Slam Of Darts – his first major tournament at the ninth attempt.

Aspinall was relieved to only trail 3-2 in the first period, after Smith shot 14 on the roof to climb to the roof of 145 in the fifth leg and the pattern continued after the break, when Smith followed the end of the 88 two with a 13. -darter in the 10th leg to increase his lead to 7- 3.

The world number 4 was soon in double figures in the crucial leg of 15, completing a combined double 84 through double 12, after Aspinall missed the same target in a 138 finish.

It proved to be a tough one, as Smith went down the next six legs without replying to a long header, sealing the deal with a two-over 56 to set off the post-match celebrations.

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‘Bully Boy’ completed his epic streak when he lifted the Eric Bristow trophy

“The hard work starts again now,” insisted Smith, who is aiming to make it back-to-back titles at the Cazoo Players Championship final at Minehead next week.

“Nobody can take this away from me now. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

“I’ll enjoy this until Thursday and then Friday is a new event, and now I have this title, who knows?”

How Smith and Aspinall made the final…

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Congratulations from the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts

Smith reached the final following a thrilling display from the St Helens winner, who ended the legend of Raymond van Barneveld to win the top event.

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“I’m at the other end, I’ve got another chance” – Michael Smith on beating Barney to reach the Grand Slam of Darts final

‘Bully Boy’ – who opened the tie with 10 and 12 darts – raced to a 5-0 lead in the 2012 Wolverhampton tournament before storming back, punishing a series of missed opportunities from his opponent to make it 12-12.

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“Stop it” – Smith was seen shouting at his darts but made it to the final in Wolverhampton

However, the 55-year-old Dutchman paid the price for a three-shot double for 13-13, and Smith battled to victory in four straight legs, averaging 104 and hitting an incredible 17 180s.

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Smith reached the final with a nail-biting semi-final against the veteran Dutchman.

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An emotional Aspinall says he wants to ‘crush’ Smith in Sunday’s final

The second semi-final followed a similar pattern, with Aspinall producing a late strike to defeat Luke Humphries by the same scoreline 16-12.

The pendulum swung through the opening exchanges, and with nothing separating the two after 20 laps, Aspinall delivered in the closing stages to reach his second televised final in as many months.

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Aspinall beat Humphries in style by the end of the 121

The former UK Open champion turned 90 and 124 in 12 consecutive rounds to take a 14-11 lead, and completed the victory with a perfect finish of 121 on the cow to cap off a superb display.

The World Darts Championship is coming to Sky Sports from December 15 to January 3 at Alexandra Palace in London.