Michael Smith’s task in Sheffield last week was simple. Win his quarter-final and he’d punch his ticket to the Premier League finals.
His dilemma, though, was that to secure fourth spot, the 2023 World Champion would have to end good friend Nathan Aspinall’s hopes of doing the exact same thing.
‘It was the first night in the 16 weeks that we didn’t practice together, Smith told Metro.co.uk. ‘Nathan chose that, he went on his own board but we still had our usual banter. I was joking that he’ll have the night off next week – we were laughing right up until the walk-ons but the moment you’re on stage, the friendship is over.’
Smith, ultimately, would prevail. An emotional 6-3 victory in last week’s shootout quarter-final laid the foundations for a second nightly win and ensured the former World No.1 issued a timely reminder of his capabilities heading into tonight’s finals at a packed-out O2 Arena.
If anything could make last week sting that bit more for Aspinall, perhaps it’s the fact that he inadvertently played a crucial role in his close friend’s impressive turnaround in the competition.
Smith, who won the first night in Cardiff, had seen himself slide down the table as he struggled to deal with the hectic early-season schedule. A holiday was needed – and Aspinall was more than happy to join.
‘Early in the tournament, we were travelling Wednesdays, playing Thursdays and dealing with European Tour events and Pro Tour events on top of that. It was gruelling,’ he recalled.
‘I needed to press that pause button and have a little break. Nathan and I went to Las Vegas; had a few pies and just relaxed. When I came back I made three finals out of the next six weeks. It’s been the turning point for me in this tournament.’
Last year, the 33-year-old was knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual champion Michael van Gerween and this year must get past Luke Littler – dart’s hottest new property – if he’s to reach the final.
Smith boasts an enviable head-to-head record against Littler, something few players can claim since the teenage sensation burst onto the PDC circuit, but is under no illusions as to the task awaiting him tonight.
‘Coming off the worlds and straight into playing in front of packed-out arenas fans as well as all the other events, we thought it would damage him [Littler],’ Smith admitted.
‘But it’s like second nature to him – he’s hit it head-on and never looked back. He’s done everything that’s being asked of him and he’s been a great addition to the tournament.
‘If I lose in the semis or the final then I don’t necessarily get to come back next season so it’s full focus to make sure my A game comes out. This is what everyone’s worked hard for the 16 weeks and hopefully, I’m at the end with the title in my hand.’
A victory on Thursday would see Smith claim his first televised title since his coming-of-age display at the 2023 World Championship.
The Englishman is frank about the mistakes he made after becoming world champion but has the fire in his belly again after watching from the sidelines as Luke Humphries stormed to the sport’s summit at Alexandra Palace earlier in the year.
‘It’s annoyed me – I don’t like the phrase former [world champion], I prefer current, he said. ‘When I won it that year I took everything for granted – turned up when I wanted, did what I wanted, went away when I wanted.
‘Then this January in Bahrain, I was introduced as former world champion and heard Luke introduced as current world champ; it gave me the kick up the backside I needed to get back on the board and work harder than I ever have before.’
But Smith is also playing with a renewed sense of purpose. Whilst filming a documentary for Sky Sports on his struggles away from the oche, the Englishman was able to relive his World Championship victory but also remind himself of who he’s truly doing it for.
‘I watched the documentary the other night in Germany and it was the first time I’d seen my boy grab the confetti when I won the World Championship and throw it up in celebration. The enjoyment – I’d never seen it before,’ he said.
‘I screenshotted it and sent it to my wife with tears in my eyes. When I watch the final back and I run to my kids you can see Michael Junior, my eldest, screaming “Yes!” – every single time that gets me.
‘But seeing him with the confetti and the enjoyment on his face hit home. It’s a lot of hard work and sacrifice doing what I’ve been doing but it’s worth it just for a moment like that.’
Michael Smith is playing in the BetMGM Premier League Finals at the O2 Arena. Visit BetMGM.co.uk 18+ BeGambleAware
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