By Owen Smith
A huge 135-finish in the final leg saw Dave Chisnall defeat Ross Smith in the World Grand Prix 4th round.
Chisnall, ranked 10th by the PDC, came out on top at the Morningside Arena.
Smith’s confidence seemed to drop as Chisnall’s average increased, and he was unable to find vital trebles and finishes in the latter end of the game.
Chisnall headed into the fixture as the favourite, but was surprised by Smith, who took the first two sets, in the first to three fixture.
Smith’s highest finish in his career came from a BDO World Championship, where he took an exit in the quarter final.
Chisnall however has merits to his name, with a win in the Worlds in 2010 and other large tournaments including the welsh open and BDO International Grand Prix.
Highlighted for his inconsistency throughout tournaments, ‘Chizzy’ showed how this reputation isn’t too far off.
After conceding two sets, he came out in the 3rd and was one dart short of a 9 darter, taking the leg and then eventually finishing victorious.
But he knows he needs to tighten up his opening legs, and come out of the blocks with a strong average and clinical finishing.
World number one Gerwyn Price will be Chisnall’s next obstacle.
Price, also current world champion, is coming off the back of a 3-1 win against Mervyn King, and is full of confidence.
Chisnall and Price have faced each other seven times, with Price coming out on top every time. The last time was in the 2019 Grand Prix.
(pic by Sven Mandel, creative commons licence)
