
Ross Smith hits TWO nine-darters and delivers THREE straight whitewashes to win Players Championship 16 darts
But the English oche ace 's verdict on his performance was even more astonishing than his figures.
3
3
No player has ever been more dominant in this tournament than Smith was in triumphing in Hildesheim, Germany.
But the 36-year-old claimed: "I don't actually think I played that well!"
The Kent star Smith, 36, reached World No. 9 last year and has now won six PDC rankings events.
And although that's a useful pedigree, no-one could have predicted his record-breaking feats on Tuesday.
Smith sealed the crown by winning 24 legs in a row.
In fact four of his five opponents failed to win a single leg.
And only legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have ever bagged more than one nine-darter at the same Players Championship event.
Smith said: 'I know I can be one of the best in the world. Consistency is a big thing, but I know I can win tournaments on a regular basis."
The 2022 European champion opened with a 6-0 defeat of Dylan Slevin, then dispatched Chris Landman 6-3 in the last 16.
3
Landman briefly fought back to level at 3-3 - but from that moment Smith never lost another leg all day.
He next sunk Danny Noppert 6-0 and Luke Woodhouse 7-0 in the semis.
Barry Hearn reveals pool is the 'next darts' and predicts sport will be massive in five years
And he demolished Brendan Dolan 6-0 in the final - with an average of 104.5.
Smith polished off the Northern Irishman with legs of 14, 12, 13, 14, 12 and 14 darts.
His joy in Germany means he has jumped up to World No. 14.
Smith said: 'I'm so happy with the win.
'I've got the little plaques at home with the scoresheets from my Players Championship wins. They're my little trophies, and they mean a lot to me.
'I'm going to add another one to the wall today, and it's another incentive when I'm at home practising, because I want to win all the time; who doesn't?
'If you've won a major title you can win anything. I honestly believe I'm going to win more, but I need to keep working hard.'
Leicester's Mattioli Arena will host the PDC's Players Championships 17 and 18 on June 17-18.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
9 hours ago
- Reuters
Kane, Diaz score as Bayern outclass Stuttgart to lift German Supercup
STUTTGART, Germany, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Champions Bayern Munich eased past VfB Stuttgart 2-1 on Saturday thanks to goals from Harry Kane and new signing Luis Diaz to lift the German Supercup. The Bavarians were sharper throughout and their keeper Manuel Neuer was in fine form less than a week before the Bundesliga season starts. With all eyes on Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade who Bayern are keen to sign, last season's Bundesliga top scorer Kane pounced on a defensive error by Luca Jaquez to give Bayern an 18th-minute lead. Last season's German Cup winners Stuttgart went in search of a quick equaliser, and Woltemade went close, only for his point-blank shot to be saved by Neuer. The 39-year-old keeper again came to the rescue in the 75th when he showed good reflexes to palm a deflected shot wide before Colombia international Diaz scored with his first effort on goal, heading in a Serge Gnabry cross 13 minutes from time. Stuttgart grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through Jamie Leweling's close-range header.


BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Parfitt leads Glamorgan Women to brink of semi-finals
MetroBank One Day Cup, League 2, BeckenhamKent 227-7 (50 overs)Glamorgan 228-4 (41.3 overs)Glamorgan won by 6 wicketsScorecard An unbeaten century from captain Lauren Parfitt led Glamorgan Women to a six-wicket win over Kent in the One Day result means that Glamorgan, with six wins from seven group games, are almost sure of a semi-final hit 111 not out off 125 balls as Glamorgan chased down a target of 228 with 8.3 overs to spare at recovered from 11-3 to post a respectable total of 227-7, Elsa Barnfather top-scoring with hosts made a poor start as loanee seamer Ellie Anderson (1-35) and Gemma Porter (2-60) took early Barnfather shared half-century stands with Amy Gordon and Coco Streets, who both made 32 before falling to Poppy Walker, while Barnfather was stumped off the economical Katy Singer (35) and Laura Bailey (27 not out) gave Kent something to defend, but they could not put Glamorgan under much and Bethan Gammon, who hit a quickfire 35 off 38 balls, added 78 for the second wicket in Glamorgan's best partnership, and Parfitt finished with 15 fours and three who were beaten semi-finalists in their T20 tournament, have group matches remaining away to Worcestershire and home to Northamptonshire will aim for a top-two finish to earn a home semi final on Saturday 6 September as they gear up to turn professional in who have just one win from seven, travel to Gloucestershire and host Yorkshire.


Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Chelsea star attracting interest of Bayern Munich after falling out of favour under Enzo Maresca - and his exit will fund TWO new signings
Chelsea have opened talks with Bayern Munich over the proposed sale of Christopher Nkunku. The German champions would prefer an initial loan but talks are ongoing. The Frenchman's departure would pave the way for Chelsea to step up their bids for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Manchester United 's Alejandro Garnacho. Nkunku, 27, has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the arrivals of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Willian Estevao this summer. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admitted in June that Christopher Nkunku may leave the club this summer. The Blues appear open to his departure despite signing the 27-year-old on a six-year deal for a hefty £52.7million just two years ago. Daily Mail Sport previously reported that Chelsea target Simons is expected to leave RB Leipzig after their failure to secure Champions League football for the upcoming season. The Dutch international had joined RB Leipzig last summer on a permanent basis, with the deal worth an initial £43m, with a further £26m in possible add ons. Simons had spent two seasons on loan at the club from French giants PSG, while the former Barcelona academy prospect had also spent a year at PSV. The 22-year-old is believed to be open to a move to Chelsea this summer, with the Blues having held initial talks with his representatives. Meanwhile, Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Garnacho after asking United for their valuation of the 21-year-old winger. The Red Devils are believed to want £50million for the Argentinian - significantly less than the £70m that United initially valued the player at, after finding himself marginalised by manager Ruben Amorim. Garnacho has been informed that he has no future at United and is keen on the switch to Stamford Bridge this summer. Chelsea's hierarchy have no concerns over his character after doing their homework. In total Garnacho has played 144 games for United and has scored 26 goals, while he has provided 22 assists. He won the FA Cup with United in the 2023-24 campaign and the EFL Cup in the previous season.