{"id":8187,"date":"2023-11-24T19:19:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T00:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/michael-smith-exits-players-championship-in-first-round-after-shock-defeat-to-richard-veenstra-darts-news\/24\/11\/2023\/"},"modified":"2023-11-24T19:19:55","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T00:19:55","slug":"michael-smith-exits-players-championship-in-first-round-after-shock-defeat-to-richard-veenstra-darts-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/michael-smith-exits-players-championship-in-first-round-after-shock-defeat-to-richard-veenstra-darts-news\/24\/11\/2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Smith exits Players Championship in first round after shock defeat to Richard Veenstra | Darts News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n World Champion Michael Smith dumped out on opening day of the Players Championship Finals, as Michael van Gerwen kicked off his title defence with victory; we’re back for the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports<\/strong> <\/h2>\n
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Last Updated: 24\/11\/23 11:53pm<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Michael Smith crashed out of the Players Championship in the first round <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

World champion Michael Smith crashed out of the Players Championship in the first round after suffering a shock defeat to Richard Veenstra, while Michael van Gerwen kicked off his title defence with victory over Callan Rydz.<\/p>\n

Smith, who missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish in the fourth leg, averaged just 85.35 and had a highest checkout of 36 in a worryingly off-colour performance just weeks ahead of the defence of his world title.<\/p>\n

World No 83 Veenstra missed five match darts before eventually taking out double 20 to seal a fully-deserved 6-3 victory in Minehead.<\/p>\n

Grand Slam of Darts winner Luke Humphries avoided another upset as he recovered from 4-2 down to beat Martin Lukeman 6-4, while Gerwyn Price thrashed Ricky Evans 6-0 and Michael Van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 6-3.<\/p>\n

Reigning champion Van Gerwen avoided a similar fate, averaging 97 to open his bid for a record-extending eighth Players Championship Finals title with a 6-3 win over an out-of-sorts Rydz.<\/p>\n

The Dutch superstar will now meet eighth seed Ross Smith, after the former European Champion averaged 98 and produced 120 and 130 finishes to wrap up a 6-2 rout of Scott Williams.<\/p>\n

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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n

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Six weeks after winning his first major darts title, Luke Humphries secured another with victory in the Grand Slam of Darts – could he now go one step further with victory at the World Championships?<\/span> <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Six weeks after winning his first major darts title, Luke Humphries secured another with victory in the Grand Slam of Darts – could he now go one step further with victory at the World Championships? <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Newly-crowned Grand Slam champion Luke Humphries survived a scare to see off Martin Lukeman, reeling off four straight legs from 4-2 adrift to extend his winning run to eight games.<\/p>\n

“I struggled to find my range early on,” admitted Humphries, who averaged 99.67 to complete an impressive fightback.<\/p>\n

“The belief is what has changed in my game. When I’m staring defeat in the face I am beginning to find ways to turn it around and win, and I never panicked at any point there.<\/p>\n

“I’m a two-time major champion now, but I want to keep riding the crest of a wave, and my will to win is still greater than ever.”<\/p>\n

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\"Gerwyn