At the iconic Alexandra Palace, the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship continued with shocking developments as second seed Michael Smith suffered a stunning early exit at the hands of Kevin Doets. This unexpected twist unfolded on Thursday evening as Doets claimed victory with a tense 3-2 win, showcasing both players' exceptional skills under pressure.
Smith, who won the championship just two years prior, quickly established his dominance by winning the opening set with ease, going on to take the third set as well. The early momentum suggested Smith would easily progress, but the resilient Doets, undeterred, rallied back winning the fourth set 3-0, forcing the match to go to the decisive fifth set.
This match was marked by intense exchanges, with each player trading big scores. Doets, determined to avenge his defeat to Smith at the same stage last year, matched Smith's intensity, hitting nine 180s compared to Smith's four. Although Smith maintained slightly higher scores overall, averaging 96.93 to Doets' 96.90, it was not enough to secure his place in the next round.
Once the fifth set commenced, the competition heated up dramatically. Both players demonstrated remarkable finishing ability under immense pressure, exchanging high-value scores. Smith delivered impressive shots, including stunning three-figure finishes like the 123 checkout, which kept him alive against Doets’ surge. The final moments of the match saw the stakes escalate; Smith appeared to seize control momentarily but could not convert key doubles, allowing Doets to capitalize.
The match reached its climax when it entered the tie-break of the final set. Tension peaked as Smith, who needed two clear legs to win, managed to take the lead 4-3. Still, Doets answered back with relentless focus, battling back to level at 4-4, eventually winning the final leg 6-4. This victory marked Doets' unlikely advance to the last 32, where he will face tough opponents post-Christmas.
Post-match, Doets shared his overwhelming emotions on Sky Sports, exclaiming, "I cannot describe this. This game was weird. He took his set easily, I took mine easy. The last set was incredible." Reflecting on the close contest, Doets admitted to feeling intense pressure and stress during the match, but his remarkable composure helped him secure the victory.
For Smith, this defeat not only signifies his unexpected exit from the tournament but also his imminent drop from the top 10 rankings, which may have serious ramifications for his career moving forward. After winning the championship and having established himself among the elite, this loss brings to light concerns about his recent form.
The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship has seen multiple seeded players fall early, with Gabriel Clemens also eliminated earlier the same day by Robert Owen. This continued theme of ‘upsets’ has certainly made for riveting viewing, igniting excitement among fans as the tournament progresses.
Other matches on Thursday showcased impressive performances as well. Scott Williams defeated Niko Springer and Matt Campbell narrowly edged Mensur Suljovic, indicating strong competition among the remaining players. Notably, Callan Rydz produced exceptional averages, underscoring the high stakes and growing tension of this year’s championship.
Looking to the future, darts enthusiasts eagerly anticipate whether Doets can continue his momentum and how Smith will respond to the pressures of his new ranking. The world of darts remains unpredictable, and as the championship advances, all eyes are set on the play at Alexandra Palace, where anything can happen, and every dart thrown carries the weight of determination, skill, and sometimes, heartbreak.
