Michael Smith 'needed confidence boost' after narrowly avoiding upset

Brad Ferguson

Defending world champion Michael Smith (33) says he was happy to receive a confidence booster after narrowly avoiding a shock first-round elimination at the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.

The Bully Boy produced a brilliant fightback to kick off his defence of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship against title Dutch debutant Kevin Doets, coming from 2-1 down to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory.

The world number one was facing the prospect of becoming the first defending champion to lose their opening match at the event since 2009, but a 13-darter with a brilliant 121 in the fourth set and 142 checkout in the opening leg of set five saw him through to the next stage.

"I feel good. It's a game that I needed," Smith told PDC, who averaged 100 during the contest.

"It was nice to show that I've still got the fight and I still know how to battle back, and I think in the last seven or eight legs I played really well.

"I kept my focus and I hit a couple of key shots at the right time.

"That's what I've been doing in practice, and this result has given me a big confidence boost."

The first double session of the tournament takes place on Saturday, headlined by a blockbuster clash between two-time World Champion Gary Anderson and former finalist Simon Whitlock.