DOUBLE STROP
Ross Smith throws darts into the crowd after shock World Championship defeat as fans rage about horror evening
It was a night of shocks at Ally Pally
ROSS SMITH threw his darts into the Ally Pally crowd following shock defeat to Paolo Nebrida in the World Championship.
Filipino Nebrida took a stunning 3-0 victory to progress into the third round.
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Smith - the 19th seed - was captured throwing his darts - which were safely in a box - into the crowd following the shock result.
And he later posted on social media: "Very disappointed with my performance last night. There are no excuses.
"My prep went well but I just couldn’t get going on stage. It really hurts but I’ll be back.
"I really appreciate all the support through this year. Have a great Christmas everyone. See you in 2025."
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It was a night of shocks as Gary Anderson was also knocked out by Jeffrey de Graaf.
The Flying Scotsman was thumped 3-0 by an unheralded qualifier in his opening game on the Ally Pally stage this year.
It is the first time since December 2009 – his debutant appearance in this competition – that he had gone out in the second round.
It is also the first time he had lost his opening game of the PDC flagship tournament.
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The two-time world champion suffered a surprising and humiliating loss – only the third time in 15 years he has not won at least one set at this North London Palace.
World No.81 De Graaf will take on Nebrida in the third round after Christmas and he will fancy his chances of going further.
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De Graaf, 34, said: “It’s great. Gary didn’t really show up as he usually does. I am very happy. I got very nervous after the first set.
“I was a bit lucky in the second set when he missed a lot of doubles. That gave me confidence in the third set.
“This has been my best year. I am happy to be here. I will keep on going. My checkouts were the difference.”
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