Smith and Van Gerwen reach Blackpool quarter-finals
Michael Smith was beaten by Chris Dobey in last year's World Matchplay quarter-finals
- Published
Michael Smith claimed victory with his third match dart to beat Chris Dobey 11-9 and reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals in Blackpool.
England's Smith cruised into a 6-2 lead but his compatriot Dobey reduced the deficit to 6-5 with an impressive 170 checkout.
Smith recovered and moved 8-5 in front but could not close out the next leg in three visits to the oche as Dobey stole it.
A fine 140 finish saw Dobey drag it back to 9-8 but Smith showed his resolve to avenge last year's quarter-final defeat and set-up a tie with Rob Cross.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen held off a Joe Cullen fightback to reach the last eight.
The three-time winner cruised into a 9-5 lead before being pegged back to 9-8 as Englishman Cullen hit back.
Dutchman Van Gerwen quickly recovered and won the next two legs to book a quarter-final with Andrew Gilding.
The Englishman comfortably beat Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski 11-5 in their last 16 meeting.
Ratajski remained in touching distance until Gilding won the final four legs to progress into the next round.
England's Cross sealed his place in the next round with a convincing 11-6 win over compatriot Ryan Searle.
Cross looked at his fluent best as he finished with an average of nearly 107 to move into the quarter-finals.
Thursday's quarter-final matches
all times are BST
Ross Smith v James Wade (20:15)
Luke Humphries v Dimitri Van den Bergh (21:45)