Michael Smith’s remarkable comeback continues. He made an almighty comeback and survived 11 mismatched darts from Chris Dobie to win 10-9 and book a place in the quarter-finals against world number one Luke Humphries.
Smith has struggled with injuries and arthritis, but he looks set to finally pay off in 2022 at the tournament that started it all for him.
In the first five legs there was nothing separating the two sides and all legs progressed slowly as ‘Hollywood’ led 3-2.
Dobie then saw the light of day with a crucial slow break, but ‘Bully Boy’ didn’t back down and scored an incredible 164 on the bull to tie the game at 5-5.
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Michael Smith played Chris Dobbie in the Grand Slam of Darts, leveling the score with a class finish of 164.
The fight was then clear as the St Helens man double, double finish and found an 86 checkout on the bull before taking a 68 at the top and moving both feet from the big moment.
Dobey then finally broke the throw with a nervous leg to tie the match at 8-8, but Smith hit straight back with his own break to take one leg off and the 2022 Grand Slam champion missed two match darts, allowing the Newcastle man to level the match at 9-9.
Then, in the pair’s incredible final leg with T20 seconds of rain, a ridiculous 18 match darts miss between the two sides saw D4 finally award the game to Smith.
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Michael Smith shares his perspective on what happened when he pulled off an incredible comeback against Chris Dobie.
“I’m not saying he (Dobie) didn’t want it. Something happened and he kept missing and I was grateful for that. I shouldn’t have played that game, I shouldn’t have been in front, I shouldn’t have won, but I’ll accept it,” Smith told Sky Sports.
“I’m happy to be here but I’m frustrated. I’m trying to remember 2022 and I’m pushing myself more than enjoying it. I’ve just crossed the line and I’m still in the quarter-finals.
“It’s always a battle now. Every game we play now, they always go to the last leg. I hate it. It hurts my head. I’ll watch the game again tomorrow. We’ve made it to the next round. I’m happy. I almost gave up in the last leg, so I’m going to endure all day.”
After enjoying a great moment on the big stage in his debut with a 10-3 victory over former World Youth Championship finalist Jurgen van der Velde, he will face Humphries in the quarter-finals.
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Highlights of the match between Luke Humphries and Jurgen van der Velde in the second round of the Grand Slam of Darts.
Humphries entered the match with suspected back spasms in his pitching arm, but there were no signs that it was affecting his pitching, and although the world No. 1 ranked player faltered at the point, he battled through, quickly improving to 5-0 with 10 darters, an 83 percent doubles success rate, and an amazing first-inning average of 117.42.
Van der Velde eventually scored a consolation leg to make the score 7-1, converting the deciding chance and earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Yet another leg took him into 10th place, and he won another D8 with a smile on his face, scoring a sensational 164 on the bull to cap off an emotional moment.
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Jurgen van der Velde takes another leg back from Cool Hand Luke with an incredible 164 finish against Luke Humphries.
However, van der Velde’s show only halted the ‘cool hand’ for a short time as the 2023 Grand Slam champion regained his form and eventually emerged victorious at the top.
Humphries put in a phenomenal performance, but admitted he was suffering from “terrible pain” and thought he might have to withdraw from the tournament.
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Luke Humphries has revealed that he needed three hours of physiotherapy to prepare for his match against Jurgen van der Velde after he woke up with cramps and almost dropped out of the competition.
“I have no idea how it happened. When I woke up this morning I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow,” Humphries told Sky Sports.
“I think I had some back spasms. My back was so bad that I thought I might have to withdraw today.
“I have to thank my physio, Mandy, who spent three hours massaging me, I think the adrenaline got me over the edge.
“I think I’m just a fighter. Sometimes I surprise myself. To go from almost having to retire this morning to playing like that, it’s special.”
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Jurjen van der Velde celebrates finally winning a leg against the dominant Luke Humphries in the second round of the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
Price sets up showdown with Evans with overwhelming victory
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In the second round of the Grand Slam of Darts, Gerwyn Price lands a big fish against Martin Schindler to take an 8-6 lead in the match.
Gerwyn Price showed his class with an overwhelming 10-6 victory over German No. 1 Martin Schindler.
Price, a three-time Grand Slam champion, dominated the first session with a 4-1 lead in the canter, but Schindler could not find consistency in his scoring, averaging scores in the mid-80s.
The second session played out similarly to the first, but this time Schindler held up his throws well despite being clearly frustrated with his own play and avoided the Iceman’s double despite having the darts to land nine of the 10 legs.
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Gerwyn Price let out a double shout after finishing 95 and coming close to clinching a match with Martin Schindler.
The pivotal moment then came when Price reeled in the “big fish” and took control again, leading 8-5 on a slow break before closing out the match on top and letting out his signature roar.
“It was a difficult game. Martin wasn’t close to his game. Towards the end we started to play a little bit better, but in the end I was happy to get over the goal line,” Price told Sky Sports.
“I should have won 8-2, so I was disappointed and beat myself up and allowed him to come back. But I’m proud of myself for being able to overcome that.”
“(My start) was also because of the crowd. Usually you don’t get that kind of support, but they were amazing.
“This is my favorite tournament. I always do well here. Now with the crowd behind me, I think I can do even better!”
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Gerwyn Price has reacted to defeating Martin Schindler in round 2 of the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
He will now face Ricky Evans, who pulled victory from the brink of defeat with a 10-9 decision win over Luke Woodhouse.
Neither player looked comfortable throughout the match, but they surged in parts, with Woodhouse building an 8-5 lead before missing two darts to take a 9-5 advantage.
After that, Evans had a chance, and his characteristic fast pitching became even faster, and he fought back with scores of 8-7 and 9-9, taking the lead with a 76 and winning a big victory.
What’s planned for Thursday?
On Thursday, the last 16 will conclude with four second-round matches featuring Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Josh Lock competing for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Thursday 13 November 1900 (Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event)
4x 2nd round (best of 19 legs)
Lukas Wenig v Nico Springer
Josh Locke v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Wessel Nyman
Michael van Gerwen v Danny Knoppert
Who will win the Mr. Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch live coverage all week long on Sky Sports. Live coverage will continue on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts and other top sports now
