Michael Smith is celebrating after winning a World Series debut!
The Unicorn star will play in the World Series triple header Down Under next month. The field for the Auckland, Melbourne and Perth Darts Masters will be led by Unicorn ace Gary Anderson with James Wade also taking part.
Unfortunately Anderson and Wade both missed out in Shanghai......Michael van Gerwen defended his Shanghai crown as he swept aside Dave Chisnall 8-0 in the final.
Van Gerwen was 0-5 and 2-6 down to Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals and came back to win in a deciding leg.
He then beat Wade 8-3 in the semi-finals. The Unicorn man banged in eight 180s as he saw off Peter Wright in the last eight. He also hit seven perfect darts in the fourth leg of the match. But after going 2-0 up against Van Gerwen, 'The Machine' wired 'tops' for a 160 finish to make it 3-0 and the World Champion hit back in style.
He reeled off six straight legs including finishes of 130, 143 and 84 twice. Wade couldn't respond.
For Anderson, there was bitter disappointment as he failed to get out of second gear and lost 8-1 to Raymond van Barneveld.
But for Michael Smith, a real sense of achievement after his World Series selection.
"I hoped that I would get a call up for one of the events, so to be invited for all three is beyond my wildest dreams," he said. "I have worked really hard to put myself in a good position. Now I want to make a big impression out in Australia and New Zealand."
And it is good news for another Team Unicorn star.....Kyle Anderson has been given wild cards to play in all three events as well. The Aussie has also undoubtedly deserved his call-up.
Van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis miss the Australia and New Zealand tournaments as both their wives are due to give birth.
Shanghai Darts Masters results - Q/Finals:
Raymond van Barneveld 8-1 Gary Anderson
Dave Chisnall 8-4 Gerwyn PriceMichael van Gerwen 8-7 Phil Taylor
James Wade 8-5 Peter Wright
S/Finals:
Dave Chisnall 8-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 8-3 James Wade
Final:
Michael van Gerwen 8-0 Dave Chisnall
By STUART PYKE in China Image courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
