2022 PDC World Darts Championships

[oche balboa]

Smith was blown away. Didn't bottle it

[meetthefeebles]

Both played a similar standard for 10 sets, the best 2 players the past 3 weeks or so, and then Wright went mental. That isnt a "choke" by any definition.

Basically, this. Neither played their best, which isn't entirely unusual for a final, but Smith was averaging around 99 for the first ten sets. That's not choking. He won some sets he probably should have lost and lost some he probably should have won. Then Wright went berserk and blitzed him.

I think people are (wrongly) criticising Smith based on the (rightly) criticised antics of his in the past, here.

[Ginge]

Fucking hell, even Oche agrees with me. This truly is end of days.

[meetthefeebles]

He did choke to be fair. Lost his 'standard' from the whole of the tournament. But Wright was just the better long game player.
The long game player usually wins a best of 13 sets World Championship.

Smith average 99 overall and 105 at the death. He actually got better at the end, not worse.

[waddle147]

Both played a similar standard for 10 sets, the best 2 players the past 3 weeks or so, and then Wright went mental. That isnt a "choke" by any definition.

I do think that a serial winner like Price or Clayton would have found a way to steal the odd leg during Wright's barrage, and ultimately put a bit more doubt in his mind, but that's judging Smith by the absolute highest modern standards.

All but three or four current players would have been similarly steamrolled.

[Rout]

Both played a similar standard for 10 sets

Yeah that's kinda the point. Wright was really off the pace for the majority of the game but managed to trade sets. He should have been clear. He gave Wright hope to do what he did at the end.

Choke is probably too harsh a word. But he lacks the bottle to hurt opponents when it matters most and that showed again in this match.

[Ginge]

You are downgrading it, at least. Bravo.

[ChrisW]

He did choke to be fair. Lost his 'standard' from the whole of the tournament. But Wright was just the better long game player.
The long game player usually wins a best of 13 sets World Championship.

Smith average 99 overall and 105 at the death. He actually got better at the end, not worse.

He missed key doubles and scoring at key periods. When Wright was getting on top.
Choke!

[Rout]

Both played a similar standard for 10 sets, the best 2 players the past 3 weeks or so, and then Wright went mental. That isnt a "choke" by any definition.

Basically, this. Neither played their best, which isn't entirely unusual for a final, but Smith was averaging around 99 for the first ten sets.

Whilst Wright was around the 93 mark but yet Wright led for most of that time. That's where he lacked bottle for me. Didn't do enough when he was on top and I think in any other game but a final he would have been 6-3 up or so.

[Rout]

You are downgrading it, at least. Bravo.

Thanks. What do I win?

[Eartha Kitt]

He did choke to be fair. Lost his 'standard' from the whole of the tournament. But Wright was just the better long game player.
The long game player usually wins a best of 13 sets World Championship.

Smith average 99 overall and 105 at the death. He actually got better at the end, not worse.

While I agree he didn't choke I think the stats aren't telling the whole story here. I think there was a slight dip in his performance but his average went up due to Wright not really letting him have any darts at double towards the end

[Dannyboy]

A word for Emma Paton. Don’t know whether she’s been officially signed off for the gig full time to replace Dave Clark, but she is 100% there for me. She has been excellent all tournament.

[WizardofozFan]

A word for Emma Paton. Don’t know whether she’s been officially signed off for the gig full time to replace Dave Clark, but she is 100% there for me. She has been excellent all tournament.

Very well said. Both her & Laura absolutely love the darts, both have an incredibly relaxed style and know their stuff most importantly. Always a shame when we get to this moment that the 3 weeks of action are over!

[Rout]

Tournament averages:

Wright: 100.66
Smith: 100.65

180s:

Wright: 55
Smith: 59

(Record is 71)

Checkout %

Wright: 40.10
Smith: 47.57

Hang on, I thought PDC darts was predictable.

Just to revisit this...... world number 2 and holder of 2nd most important title this season beating the serial final bottler after a semi final line up containing 4 of the world's top 10......

Agree with you on Paton though.

[WizardofozFan]

Overall, an.odd WC, that. I thought it mostly garbage for the most part but in the last few days we had some real great games. Smith v Clayton started it off but then the standard really improved (except Wade) and we had some classic matches. Even the final was a tense, gripping watch.

As you say, barring Wade & King battling (and credit to them for finding a way), but ultimately dragging the standard down, there were some titanic matches. Smith-Clayton just about takes the biscuit for game of the tournament as neither wilted or stopped hitting either trebles or doubles.

[WizardofozFan]

Two composed & classy interviews at the end from both men. Having spent most of the match facing "Scotland get battered" as well as boos & whistles throughout, Wright thanks the crowd followed by genuine words for Michael, who himself will take so many positives from these 3 weeks.

Remember Peter was in the top 8 of the world for around 3 and a half years before winning a big TV title thanks to van Gerwen & Taylor's dominance, Smith is only 31 and has ample opportunities ahead of him.

[oche balboa]

Two composed & classy interviews at the end from both men. Having spent most of the match facing "Scotland get battered" as well as boos & whistles throughout, Wright thanks the crowd followed by genuine words for Michael, who himself will take so many positives from these 3 weeks.

Remember Peter was in the top 8 of the world for around 3 and a half years before winning a big TV title thanks to van Gerwen & Taylor's dominance, Smith is only 31 and has ample opportunities ahead of him.

"He let me in there"
"Practise your doubles, Michael"

Smith wouldn't have wanted to hear that

[ChrisW]

Tayloresque comments.
Unusual from Wright.

[WizardofozFan]

Two composed & classy interviews at the end from both men. Having spent most of the match facing "Scotland get battered" as well as boos & whistles throughout, Wright thanks the crowd followed by genuine words for Michael, who himself will take so many positives from these 3 weeks.

Remember Peter was in the top 8 of the world for around 3 and a half years before winning a big TV title thanks to van Gerwen & Taylor's dominance, Smith is only 31 and has ample opportunities ahead of him.

"He let me in there"
"Practise your doubles, Michael"

Smith wouldn't have wanted to hear that

The doubles comment was a joke, as he clarified, it seemed though that he had maybe said that to him after a match before as a bit of feedback. Other than that he said some genuinely nice things, imagine what Price would have said....

[Dannyboy]

Got to say I thought it was a great tournament. Lots of drama and some fantastic match ups from the L64 onwards (heck Cross v Barney at that stage is ridiculous!)

Darts is only going one direction. Under Eddie Hearn I can see his footprint increasingly going on the sport in the next 12 months - I think with his boxing record, he will be able to exploit it even better than his father.