Kevin Doets snagged a 4-1 win in the second session of the 2026 World Matchplay of Darts, but get this, he's still trailing Ross Smith 6-4 overall. That’s the kind of wild ride we’re getting on Day 3 in Blackpool, and honestly, if you’re not locked in, you’re missing out on some high-stakes action!
Smith vs. Doets Showdown: An Uphill Battle
Talk about a comeback effort battling uphill! Doets coming out of that second session with a dominant 4-1 win against Ross Smith was massive, definitely cutting into what was surely a bigger deficit. But with the format being best of 19 legs, win by two, or sudden death in the 25th leg, Doets still has his work cut out for him tonight. That 7:15 p.m. matchup will be electric. He's gotta keep that momentum going, because trailing 6-4 overall means every single leg is absolute gold. This isn't a quick sprint, it’s a marathon of precision and nerve. Smith is still ahead despite Doets' session win. Can Doets pull it off and level the score, or even take the lead? This match has everything: big swings, massive pressure, and a player battling to close the gap against a tough opponent.
Heavy Hitters and Must-Watch Matches on Monday
And that's just one piece of the action! Monday is absolutely stacked with four exciting first-round matches, promising drama. We've got some titans of the sport hitting the stage in Blackpool. Luke Humphries is up at 9:15 p.m. taking on Cameron Menzies, and that one promises fireworks. Then there’s Gerwyn Price, always a fierce competitor, facing off against Martin Schindler at 8:15 p.m. You know Price brings that raw intensity, so expect a loud one and a true test of wills there. Rounding out the evening is Danny Noppert challenging Rob Cross at 10:15 p.m. These eight players are all fighting tooth and nail to move on. With the grueling best-of-19 format, it's a true test of endurance and skill. Every player on that oche knows they need to bring their A-game if they want to see the second round.
What's Next for the Bracket? Prepare for Round Two!
The matchups decided tonight are going to shape the rest of this tournament in a huge way. We're already looking ahead to some seriously tasty second-round clashes. The winner of this Ross Smith vs. Kevin Doets match will go up against whoever comes out on top between Luke Humphries and Cameron Menzies. And the victor of the Gerwyn Price vs. Martin Schindler clash will face the winner of Danny Noppert vs. Rob Cross. We've also got Luke Littler going against Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen taking on Dirk van Duijvenbode already penciled in for the next round. This is just the first round of Day 3, but the path to the championship is starting to get clearer, and it’s looking absolutely brutal for anyone trying to make a deep run. Don't miss a single dart, because every throw matters!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.