PDC World Darts Championship 2025: “I Can Go Far,” says Kevin Doets After Stunning Michael Smith

Michael Smith's hopes of reclaiming glory at the PDC World Darts Championship ended abruptly in the second round, as he suffered a stunning defeat to rising Dutch talent Kevin Doets. 

The 2025 campaign marks a steep drop for Smith, who not only exits early but also relinquishes the £500,000 he won two years ago, causing his world ranking to plummet from second to a provisional 15th.

Bully Boy’s Best Still Not Good Enough

Doets, who came agonizingly close to defeating Smith at the same stage last year, showcased immense grit and determination on the Alexandra Palace stage. 

The match reached a dramatic conclusion in overtime, narrowly avoiding a sudden-death leg. In the decisive fifth set, Doets averaged over 105, delivering a standard of play that proved too much for "Bully Boy," even at his best.

Smith's struggles this season have been well-documented, and his early exit further highlights his challenges. Despite a brilliant showing in the final set, Smith was ultimately outdone by a player whose confidence and skill shone through in a high-pressure moment.

After the match, the 26-year-old spoke about his triumph and what it means to beat one of the sport's most dominant forces.

"I've had interviews before the game that I told everyone that I was going to expect Michael Smith at his best. He wasn't and I wasn't," Doets told SportsBoom.com. 

"But that last set, both of us were at our A game."

Reflecting on his own performance, Doets expressed newfound confidence. "The game just makes me feel like I can actually go really far and maybe even win it. It gives me a lot of confidence that you won’t even understand."

Nerves of Steel

Asked about whether Smith's nerves may have played a role, particularly given the significant ranking money he was defending, Doets offered a different perspective, emphasising his own nerves instead.

"I don't really get nervous on stage, but the first set might've shown it. I was zero out of 11 on my doubles. I was really nervous, but the moment we got back on stage after the first set, I wasn't nervous at all anymore."

He continued, "I didn't see him nervous either, he hasn't been on his best and that showed in the first 75% of the game, but when I got tired, he was there and I'm just happy that I was there more."

Flying Home for Christmas 

This victory propels Doets into uncharted territory, reaching the third round of the competition for the first time in his career. The result also allows him to enjoy Christmas at home with his family, a rare luxury for many players at this stage.

However, the journey is not without its challenges. Based in Sweden, Doets faces a logistical hurdle, needing to return home and then fly back to the UK just before his next match.

"I'm flying back home tomorrow and the first day of the world is the 27th, I think. I have at least six days home. If I play the 27th, I'm going to fly back here the day before that," he explained.

"I don't want to spend too much time in England this year because my preparation for the game is not going to be more here, it's going to be back home. I just want to spend Christmas and the holidays with my family."

Doets now awaits the winner of Krzysztof Ratajski's match against the first-round victor between Richard Veenstra and Alexis Toylo. 

With confidence surging and history already made, Kevin Doets is ready to keep pushing forward in the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.