Ross Smith has carried his fine form into the World Series of Darts Finals, defeating Kevin Doets 6-3 in the first round in Amsterdam with an average of 102.98. The Englishman, known as "Smudger," fired in seven 140s to keep Doets at arm's length and close out the match, despite facing a partisan Dutch crowd at AFAS Live.
Smith, the world number 14, is enjoying an excellent season, having already won the International Darts Open and the Hungarian Darts Trophy, plus two Players Championship titles. But it was the atmosphere in Amsterdam that caught his attention. "It was difficult but that is what you expect when you are playing a local player like Kevin," Smith said. "We are in Holland here. I actually really like it and that is what you need."
He added: "We want a crowd here. They have been fantastic even though they were against me. That is what you need. You need an atmosphere. Without them guys we wouldn't even be here."
Despite his strong results, the 37-year-old refuses to look too far ahead. "To be fair, I am not looking too far ahead. I am enjoying the darts I am playing at the moment," he said. "I am playing really well, I know that. All I am doing is concentrating on each tournament. I am not looking at the bigger picture because there are far too many tournaments coming up."
Smith also credits his relaxed demeanour to his life away from the oche. "My little lad, he keeps on turning up now and again on the Euro Tour. All serious things are going well at home. Everything is good in life and that makes a massive difference," he said. "I am just happy in life. I pinch myself I am lucky to do this as a job for a living. Who wouldn't want this?"
He remains focused on the immediate future: "I am just concentrating on me and doing the best I can each game, each tournament. Hopefully, I can lift a few more trophies this year."
