Ross Smith has emphatically claimed his fourth title of the year, conquering the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest. ‘The Smudger’ delivered a masterclass performance, culminating in a dominant 8-2 victory over darts legend Gary Anderson in the final. His path to glory also saw him overcome strong contenders like Dave Chisnall and Danny Noppert, showcasing consistent excellence throughout the tournament. Anderson, despite his final defeat, had a dramatic run, notably surviving multiple match darts against Nathan Aspinall in a thrilling semi-final clash.
Smith’s Unstoppable March to Glory
Ross Smith’s journey to his second European Tour title was nothing short of spectacular, marked by precision and unwavering focus. He demonstrated why he’s one of the most exciting players on the circuit.
The Grand Final: Smith vs. Anderson
The final against Gary Anderson was expected to be a tight affair, but Smith had other plans. He delivered a performance that left no doubt about his championship pedigree.
- Dominant Scoreline: Smith defeated Anderson 8-2.
- Exceptional Average: He maintained an impressive average of over 101 points.
- Pinpoint Doubles: Smith hit over 70% of his doubles, a crucial factor in his victory.
- Early Break: Smith set the tone immediately with a 103 checkout, followed by a 124 checkout for a 12-darter and an early break.
- Sustained Pressure: He capitalized on Anderson’s missed opportunities, extending his lead to 6-1 before closing out the match with an 11-darter.
Semi-Final Showdown: Smith vs. Noppert
In the semi-final, Smith faced Danny Noppert, another formidable opponent. Smith continued his solid form, making fewer errors and applying constant pressure.
- Clear Victory: Smith triumphed 7-3 against Noppert.
- Crucial Break: He secured an early break with a 12-darter and maintained his advantage, sealing the win with a clinical 64 checkout under pressure.
Quarter-Final Battle: Smith vs. Chisnall
Smith’s quarter-final match against Dave Chisnall was a testament to his composure. While both players had fluctuating moments, Smith’s consistency was key.
- Decisive Win: Smith secured a 6-2 victory.
- Fewer Errors: Smith capitalized on Chisnall’s triple misses and missed doubles, building an early 3-0 lead and holding on to it.
Anderson’s Dramatic Path to the Final
Gary Anderson’s journey to the final was filled with nail-biting moments, particularly his semi-final clash which showcased his legendary resilience.
Semi-Final Thriller: Anderson vs. Aspinall
This match was arguably the most dramatic of the tournament, a true test of nerve and skill.
- Epic Comeback: Anderson faced five match darts from Nathan Aspinall but remarkably survived, forcing a deciding leg.
- Clutch Finishes: After trailing 4-6, Anderson hit a huge 160 checkout and then capitalized on Aspinall’s missed opportunities to level at 6-6.
- Decider Victory: In the final leg, Anderson held his nerve to check out 64, securing his spot in the final.
Quarter-Final Challenge: Anderson vs. Van Veen
Anderson’s quarter-final against Gian van Veen was another close encounter, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
- Narrow Win: Anderson edged out van Veen 6-5.
- High Averages: Both players posted impressive averages (Anderson 101.45, van Veen 99.79), highlighting the high quality of the match.
Other Memorable Matches
The Hungarian Darts Trophy delivered several other captivating contests before the final rounds.
Noppert vs. Van Duijvenbode: A Dutch Derby
This all-Dutch encounter was a seesaw battle that went down to the wire.
- Close Contest: Danny Noppert defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5.
- High Doubles Percentage: Noppert hit 60% of his doubles, crucial for his victory.
- Momentum Swings: Noppert initially led 4-0, but van Duijvenbode fought back to take a 5-4 lead before Noppert broke back and won the decider.
Aspinall vs. Dobey: A High-Class Encounter
Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey produced a match of exceptional quality, with both players rarely missing their targets.
- Full Distance: Aspinall triumphed 6-5 against Dobey in a game where both players had just five missed doubles combined.
- Highlight Checkout: Aspinall delivered a stunning 156 checkout, while Dobey hit a 130 checkout in 12 darts.
Tournament Overview and Prize Money
The Hungarian Darts Trophy, part of the European Tour, featured a substantial prize fund, rewarding top performance.
A total of £230,000 was up for grabs, distributed as follows:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 each
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000 each
- Last 16: £5,000 each
- Last 32: £3,500 each
- First Round: £2,000 each
Note: Prize money for players eliminated in the first round or second round only counts towards ranking if they win their first match.
What’s Next on the European Tour?
Darts action continues on the European Tour from Friday to Sunday with the Czech Darts Open in Prague. Fans can look forward to another weekend of thrilling darts as players battle for ranking points and prize money.
Final Day Results (Sunday)
- Quarter-finals:
- Danny Noppert 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Ross Smith 6-2 Dave Chisnall
- Gary Anderson 6-5 Gian van Veen
- Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Chris Dobey
- Semi-finals:
- Ross Smith 7-3 Danny Noppert
- Gary Anderson 7-6 Nathan Aspinall
- Final:
- Ross Smith 8-2 Gary Anderson
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
