Ross Smith has hit out at Mensur Suljovic after his 6-5 defeat in the third round of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, accusing the Austrian of playing to the crowd at inconvenient moments during their dramatic last-leg decider. Smith, the number one in Europe with two European Tour titles in 2026, was left extremely frustrated after missing two match darts in the decider, allowing 'The Gentle' to get over the line for a brilliant win.
Smith had taken an early advantage against a lethargic Suljovic, who managed to get into the match and eventually levelled with an 11-darter. Smith twice more broke to get his nose ahead, but each time Suljovic was able to get the break back and stay level. The Englishman was searching for a first European Tour quarter-final since 2023 and managed to force a decider, but during the match Suljovic was jestering to the crowd, causing boos and jeers to ring around the arena. Whether intentional or not, Smith slipped up at the crucial moment, missing two match darts as Suljovic sealed the victory.
There was a frosty handshake between the two, and Smith took to X to share his opinion on the events that had just taken place. "I don't blame Mensur for me losing that game," he wrote. "I missed 2 match darts. Simple as that. Obviously its impossible for me to no what he's doing behind my back when I'm throwing apart from the the crowds response. If he wants to be an absolute helmet that is on him, karma will come around."
The defeat ends a three-tournament streak of final sessions for Smith on the European Tour, and the two-time major champion will play no more part in proceedings in Basel. Suljovic, meanwhile, will look to battle for a first European Tour title since 2019, and will face Dirk van Duijvenbode in the quarter-finals.
