Wayne Mardle believes Michael Smith looks more than capable of retaining his World Darts Championship title after defeating Kevin Doets 3-2.
He said: “Since becoming world champion, things haven’t gone Smith’s way, he hasn’t played that great,” Mardle said. “But now he’s back on the stage of his greatest victory, playing like that, it’s like he is a runner again, he’s got a bona fide chance again.
“Most people were thinking that he wasn’t playing well enough to retain it… but, that was playing well enough.
“If he plays like that for the duration, that’s championship-winning form.
“That was a 100 average, pushed to the absolute hilt by someone that is on the up, clearly – Kevin Doets is absolutely world class. On the tour, he is averaging 94-95, day in, day out.
“That was a brilliant performance, but Michael Smith dealt with everything, when the pressure was on.
“Can it be on any more? Yes, it can. The deeper you get, the more meaningful it gets. But this was his opening game and he’s never been reigning champ before.
“Returning to do that, I’m in awe of him. He’s so strong.”
