Smith looking to relax ahead of Littler showdown

ROSS SMITH believes he has to be less SERIOUS before facing Luke Littler in the World Series.

The explosive scorer faces the 17-year-old in the glamour tie of the first round of the finals in Amsterdam on Friday night. 

World No.10 Smith, 35, has dismissed any fears of facing the No.1 seed ‘The Nuke’, who has picked up seven titles in 2024.  

He said: “I’ve played him twice this season. Once in the Players Championship and beat him and then he gave me a good hiding on the Euro Tour, he played exceptionally well, I think he averaged 107 or something stupid. 

“I remember playing Luke quite a lot of online tournaments during lockdown. People were all talking about him then. 

“He seems quiet and a decent lad. I’ve got nothing against him. But the pressure is all on him as far as I’m concerned. But he doesn’t seem to know pressure does he? He’s a different animal!

“I’m just going up there to enjoy it. I know what I can do, I can hit a 110 average myself. Especially first to six legs and I know he can. 

“I’ve had a week of being a bit too serious, overthinking things. I’m just going to go up there and I know I’ve got the game to beat him, it doesn’t bother me. 

“I’ve got to be on it and hopefully smash him up!”

Former European Champion Smith has made huge strides again this year, moving into the World’s elite and winning a ProTour in Milton Keynes. 

He added: “I think I’ve been playing really well. It’s weird actually. I felt like I haven't played as well as last year but I’m getting results. 

“I’m going deeper into tournaments, I’ve had four or five semi-finals and obviously the win and a few Euro finals. 

“It’s gone well, I’m second on the ProTour and up to World No.10. I’m learning to win a bit more ugly. 

“My timing has got a bit better. I’m getting through games which last year I probably wasn’t but still playing well. 

“The averages don’t always win you games. It was frustrating to lose with 99 and 100 averages a year ago. I could never seem to get over the line.”

Smith also missed out narrowly to Gary Anderson in the European Darts Grand Prix final, going down 8-6.

But he added: “None of us are Phil Taylor, no one is winning every single week. 

“Obviously Luke Humphries has dominated and he’s clicked for him. 

“This week I played twice in two Euro events and I’ve come back and thought to myself I’m taking it too seriously. 

“I’m taking it serious away from the board which makes it become serious on the board. I feel like I’m not having fun up there. 

“I’m being too critical of myself. Now going into this weekend I’m thinking I’ve got a great job, you are lucky to be where you are. Just go and enjoy it. When I’m like that the darts seem to flow.” 

Words by Phil Lanning. 

ROSS SMITH believes he has to be less SERIOUS before facing Luke Littler in the World Series.

The explosive scorer faces the 17-year-old in the glamour tie of the first round of the finals in Amsterdam on Friday night. 

World No.10 Smith, 35, has dismissed any fears of facing the No.1 seed ‘The Nuke’, who has picked up seven titles in 2024.  

He said: “I’ve played him twice this season. Once in the Players Championship and beat him and then he gave me a good hiding on the Euro Tour, he played exceptionally well, I think he averaged 107 or something stupid. 

“I remember playing Luke quite a lot of online tournaments during lockdown. People were all talking about him then. 

“He seems quiet and a decent lad. I’ve got nothing against him. But the pressure is all on him as far as I’m concerned. But he doesn’t seem to know pressure does he? He’s a different animal!

“I’m just going up there to enjoy it. I know what I can do, I can hit a 110 average myself. Especially first to six legs and I know he can. 

“I’ve had a week of being a bit too serious, overthinking things. I’m just going to go up there and I know I’ve got the game to beat him, it doesn’t bother me. 

“I’ve got to be on it and hopefully smash him up!”

Former European Champion Smith has made huge strides again this year, moving into the World’s elite and winning a ProTour in Milton Keynes. 

He added: “I think I’ve been playing really well. It’s weird actually. I felt like I haven't played as well as last year but I’m getting results. 

“I’m going deeper into tournaments, I’ve had four or five semi-finals and obviously the win and a few Euro finals. 

“It’s gone well, I’m second on the ProTour and up to World No.10. I’m learning to win a bit more ugly. 

“My timing has got a bit better. I’m getting through games which last year I probably wasn’t but still playing well. 

“The averages don’t always win you games. It was frustrating to lose with 99 and 100 averages a year ago. I could never seem to get over the line.”

Smith also missed out narrowly to Gary Anderson in the European Darts Grand Prix final, going down 8-6.

But he added: “None of us are Phil Taylor, no one is winning every single week. 

“Obviously Luke Humphries has dominated and he’s clicked for him. 

“This week I played twice in two Euro events and I’ve come back and thought to myself I’m taking it too seriously. 

“I’m taking it serious away from the board which makes it become serious on the board. I feel like I’m not having fun up there. 

“I’m being too critical of myself. Now going into this weekend I’m thinking I’ve got a great job, you are lucky to be where you are. Just go and enjoy it. When I’m like that the darts seem to flow.” 

Words by Phil Lanning.