In a gripping World Matchplay debut, Kevin Doets showcased incredible talent, posting an impressive average of 104.19. However, despite his stellar performance, ‘Hawkeye’ ultimately fell to a clinical Ross Smith, who secured a 10-6 victory. Smith dominated the early stages, racing to a 5-0 lead, but Doets battled back valiantly, including a sensational 161 checkout, before ‘Smudger’ sealed the win, advancing to the next round.
The year 2026 has been a landmark for Kevin Doets, who recently celebrated his maiden PDC title – a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. This success paved the way for his highly anticipated debut at the prestigious World Matchplay. However, the draw pitted him against a formidable opponent in Ross Smith, who has also been in exceptional form this year, setting the stage for what promised to be a thrilling encounter.
The match began with a stark contrast to Doets’ impressive average. Despite ‘Hawkeye’ showing glimpses of his scoring power, Ross Smith delivered a masterclass in early clinical finishing. The Englishman, known as ‘Smudger’, quickly established dominance, winning all five of the opening legs. His efficiency was highlighted by crucial checkouts, including an 87 and a spectacular 160 finish, leaving Doets without a leg on the scoreboard. After a brief interval, Smith even had an opportunity to extend his lead to 6-0, narrowly missing a dart at tops. This proved to be a turning point, as Doets seized the moment, finally getting on the board and igniting his challenge.
Inspired by breaking his duck, Doets began to find his rhythm. He followed up his first leg with a magnificent 141 checkout, injecting a much-needed surge of confidence. This was quickly followed by a swift 13-darter, narrowing Smith’s lead to 5-3. Although Smith temporarily halted Doets’ momentum with a 64 finish, ‘Hawkeye’ responded immediately with a 14-darter, bringing the score to a tense 6-4. The match, which had initially seemed one-sided, was now a genuine contest.
The renewed tension, however, was short-lived. Demonstrating his experience and composure, Smith swiftly re-asserted his authority, stringing together three decisive legs in 15, 13, and 16 darts respectively. This clinical run left him just one leg away from victory at 9-4. Yet, Doets was not ready to concede without a final flourish. He produced a truly phenomenal 161 checkout – a moment of pure brilliance that showcased his potential and delayed the inevitable. This ‘skin-saver’ finish, hitting treble 20, treble 17, and the bullseye, was a testament to his fighting spirit, even though it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Ultimately, Ross Smith calmly stepped up to the oche and sealed his triumph with a 120 finish in 15 darts, ending the match at 10-6. ‘Smudger’ now advances to the second round, where he will face either Luke Humphries or Cameron Menzies.
Match Statistics at a Glance:
- Ross Smith: Average 100.55 / Double Percentage 55.6%
- Kevin Doets: Average 104.19 / Double Percentage 54.5%
Note: Despite Doets’ higher overall average, Smith’s superior finishing in crucial moments proved decisive.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
