International Darts Open - Finals Day

Super Smith Seals Second Euro Crown
MICHAEL Smith sealed the second European Tour title of his career as he defeated Benito van de Pas to win the International Darts Open in Riesa on Sunday.

After a slow start to the weekend, Smith returned to form on the final day, producing some outstanding darts to defeat Terry Jenkins, Ian White and van de Pas on his way to victory on a day which saw Michael van Gerwen's 100 percent record on the European Tour this year ended.
Smith's path to glory would not be simple though as the Bully Boy won through in a deciding leg against Jenkins in the opening game of the day, with a fifth leg 129 checkout the highlight. White would prove a similarly tough test for the Smith in the semis as the 44-year-old also entered the match on the back of a dramatic 6-5 victory as he edged a stunning clash with Stephen Bunting - which included an incredible 11 180s - averaging 105.12. With just one leg in the match at 4-3, Smith turned on the style as he first checked out 150 in the penultimate leg before finishing the job in the next with an exhibition 120 finish hitting 20, Bull, Bull.
And the St Helens thrower would hold his nerve in the final as he kicked on after an even start to the match to break twice and open up a commanding three leg lead at 5-2. Although Smith would miss six match darts in the penultimate leg it would not stop him from swiftly wrapping up the victory as he recorded his highest checkout of the match in the final leg, taking out 88 on double seven to secure the 25,000 pound top prize and add another title to his rapidly expanding PDC CV.

"I'm really chuffed, this is one of the best tournaments I've ever played in and I'm unbeaten in East Germany and it's two out of two here for me now," said Smith. "I've had to settle down and I've had to become a man. I went back to being a boy again and so I had to grow up, I had to be steady and I had to be focused. I put on Twitter and Facebook this morning that it would be a great Father's Day present for me and my dad if I won here today and that's exactly what I've done so I'm delighted."

After becoming the first man to beat world number one Michael van Gerwen in this year's European Tour in the final game of the afternoon, van de Pas saw off the tricky test of Justin Pipe in the last eight, winning 6-4.
The 22-year-old would continue his brilliant form on the day in his next match as he landed an exceptional 167 checkout in the final leg to defeat Kim Huybrechts - who had earlier seen off Dave Chisnall - to reach his first European Tour final.


Van Gerwen Dominance Ended In Riesa
MICHAEL van Gerwen's unbeaten start to the 2015 European Tour came to an end on day three of the International Darts Open as Benito van de Pas stunned the world number one in Riesa.

Van de Pas produced some superb darts as he capitalised on a below-par performance from van Gerwen and became the first man to defeat the Dutchman on the European Tour this year. Van Gerwen began strongly as he kicked off with a 132 checkout and opened up a 2-0 lead before van de Pas hit back in style, leveling the match with a 158 finish in the fourth leg. Neither player could pull clear in the following legs before 22-year-old van de Pas landed another ton-plus checkout, taking out 122 to lead 5-4 before completing the shock victory in the following leg.
Van de Pas will meet Dutch Darts Masters runner-up Justin Pipe in this evening's session after The Force beat home favourite Max Hopp 6-2.
Pipe started the stronger in a slow start to the match, opening up a 3-1 lead before landing a superb 122 finish in the following leg to extend his advantage. Hopp would only seal one more leg before the 43-year-old finished in style with a Shanghai 120 checkout.

Michael Smith returned to form as he landed five 180s during a 6-3 victory against Steve Beaton in an entertaining opening game of the afternoon.
Beaton flew out of the blocks as he quickly stormed into a 2-0 lead before Smith turned on the style to register his first leg with a brilliant 13-darter. And the 24-year-old would kick on as he finished with a flourish, securing five of the last six legs, taking out 25 to seal victory and reach his first European Tour quarter-final of the year.
Smith's opponent will be Terry Jenkins who continued his fine form on the European Tour as he defeated the impressive Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-2 to book his place in another quarter-final.
Gibraltar Darts Trophy runner-up Jenkins - who also reached the semi-finals in Venray two weeks ago - kicked off with a 112 checkout and didn't look back, landing a brilliant 11-darter in the penultimate leg before taking out 50 to set up the clash with Smith.

Ian White reached his first European Tour quarter-final in over a year as he saw off Robert Thornton 6-4. White flew out of the blocks, landing a 148 checkout and a 12-darter en route to opening up a 3-1 lead before some double trouble in leg five allowed the Scot back into the match. But White would regain his form in the closing stages, taking out 32 for a 13-dart leg to wrap up the win.
White will take on Stephen Bunting this evening after the Bullet produced a fantastic display to beat Peter Wright 6-5 with a 104.11 average in a high-quality encounter.
There was not much to separate the pair in the early stages before Wright looked to taken a giant step towards the quarter-finals as he moved 5-4 in front and left himself 43 for the win in the following leg. Bunting however would produce a nerve-busting 120 checkout to break and force a decider where he would take out 64 to complete a dramatic victory.

Dave Chisnall was another man on top form as he impressively defeated Brendan Dolan 6-2, finishing with a 104.97 average and 75 percent on the doubles.
Chisnall made a storming start to the match, expertly checking out 142 in the second leg to race into a 2-0 lead before letting the Northern Irishman back as he leveled at 2-2. That would be as good as it would get for Dolan though as Chisnall reeled off the final four legs, completing the win with a brilliant 11-darter.
Kim Huybrechts booked his place in the last eight against Chisnall as he defeated Daryl Gurney 6-4.
The pair would continue to swap blows with a 128 checkout from Huybrechts in the fifth leg the highlight in a scrappy start to the match. With the game tied at 4-4, Huybrechts would find his form, landing 180s in both of the final two legs before taking out 40 to seal victory.





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