Darts: Michael Smith survived the third match of the Matchdarts series and reached the round of the last four at the World Series Finals

Neither man should have been in the quarter-finals. After Smith had already survived one match dart in the first round against Jose de Sousa, he had to watch on Saturday evening as Wessel Nijman missed six match darts. Cross survived four match darts in his second round match against Kevin Doets. This time it was Spann himself who was unable to convert his match darts.

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Cross won the first session 3-2, with a 118 finish and a 12-darter among other things. After the first session, Smith took control, levelling with a 14-darter before taking a 5-3 lead with an 11-darter and a 16-darter.

In the ninth leg, Cross hit a 43 finish and then the 33-year-old Englishman levelled the score with a 12-darter. After the last break, Smith struck again. A 75 finish and a 12-darter made it 7-5 for Smith, who then missed four chances to make it 8-5. Cross took advantage of this and reduced the deficit to 6-7 with a double 4.

Cross then equalised with a 17-darter in the fourteenth leg and then took the lead from his compatriot with a 14-darter. After a 13-darter in the sixteenth leg, Cross suddenly only needed one more leg to win.

Smith didn’t let his head drop though and hit a 12-darter and a 13-darter to level the score at 9-9. Cross was able to start the final leg but it was Smith who threw a match dart first. Bully Boy had a checkout of 127 but missed the bullseye. Cross then got to 40 but his three darts were just above the wire. Smith got another chance and his third match dart finally proved to be a hit.

The semi-finals of the World Series of Darts Finals will take place on Sunday evening. In the first semi-final, Michael van Gerwen will face Luke Littler. Smith will face Peter Wright in the second semi-final.