Darter Doets stunt at World Championship against former champion Smith: ‘Heart rate went to 300’

Kevin Doets provided a resounding surprise in the second round of the Darts World Cup (PDC). After a true thriller, the Dutchman was too strong 3-2 for Michael Smith, the number two in the world and world champion two years ago.

Very proud and still a bit overwhelmed, Doets spoke to the press afterwards. “I have never been so hoarse in my life, haha! This was definitely my best match ever. My heart rate went up to three hundred, but luckily I could keep my arm calm. This was really crazy.”

Last year, Doets also met Smith at Alexandra Palace and shook the then reigning champion. Then the Dutchman went down 3-2. This time the penny fell his way.

The first set went to the Englishman 3-0. This was partly due to eleven misses on Doets’ doubles. With his first striking double, the Dutchman won the first leg of the second set and from that moment on Doets, the number 51 in the world, had the initiative.

Watch Doets’ reaction below after his victory over Smith.

The 26-year-old Doets made it 1-1 in sets and the third set went to Smith again. Doets forced a convincing 3-0 in legs in a fifth set and took a 2-0 lead.

Then Smith briefly showed his class with a 123 finish, followed by an 84 finish. In the meantime, Doets missed his first match dart on tops. The score became 2-2 and it remained extremely exciting.

There had to be a difference of two legs in the decisive fifth set and after the 4-4 Smith had no escape anymore. Doets got three arrows on 40 and with the third arrow he finished it: 6-4. This is how he won the best victory of his career.

“On the last turn I just thought: please, come on. And I throw it and I have never screamed so loudly after a match. I have now thrown twice at a World Cup and am good twice. I feel really, really at home on this stage. Then crazy things can happen.”

For Smith, the defeat is confirmation of his mediocre form. After his world title at the beginning of 2023, things went less and less. The 34-year-old ‘Bully Boy’ started enjoying the attention, fame and life a little too much and has had two bad years.

The defeat puts him in free fall on the Order of Merit, the world ranking. He could even fall outside the first sixteen.

Earlier in the evening, Welshman Nick Kenny won 3-0 against American Stowe Buntz. Kenny is Raymond van Barneveld’s opponent in the second round on Saturday evening.