Darts giants are dropping like flies at Ally Pally but top star explains why it’s no surprise
Chris Dobey has explained why this year’s PDC World Championship big-name exits are not all that surprising. A number of top seed stars have faced early defeats during the first week of darts action in this year’s tournament at Alexandra Palace. Smith is the highest ranked seeded player to be knocked outGetty Two-time winner Anderson was also defeatedGetty Michael Smith, who was seeded second and became world champion in 2023, was beaten 3-2 by Kevin Doets on Thursday evening. Saturday saw five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld dumped out by Nick Kenny. The following evening, 14th seed Gary Anderson lost 3-0 against Jeffrey de Graaf. And on Monday, Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall, who fifth and sixth seeds respectively, were sent home early. However, 15th seed Dobey has told talkSPORT that these exits are not that surprising to him given the amount of quality at the oche. Speaking on Breakfast, he said: “For the likes of myself and a few of the other lads, it’s no surprise because on floor this year, anybody can beat anybody. “The standard is so high now so nothing to us is kind of a shock. It is for you guys because you suspect Gary and that to do well. But the standard now is ridiculous and everybody can beat anybody.” But Dobey appears confident that he won’t suffer the same fate as his fellow seeded players. He added: “Honestly I’m so happy with where my game’s at. “I was a bit scrappy on the doubles the other night but if I can hit my doubles sooner, then I think I can go really deep in the competition, I’m feeling confident.” The 34-year-old has reached the third round this yearGetty Seeded players knocked out of the PDC World Championship 14 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts Championship (2) Michael Smith (5) Rob Cross (6) Dave Chisnall (13) Danny Noppert (14) Gary Anderson (16) James Wade (19) Ross Smith (22) Martin Schindler (24) Mike De Decker (25) Dirk van Duijvenbode (27) Gabriel Clemens (28) Gian van Veen (29) Richie Edhouse (32) Raymond van Barveveld Dobey has reached the third round of the World Championship for a seventh consecutive year after he beat Alexander Merkx 3-1. He led the first two sets and despite Merkx hitting back in the third, the 34-year-old sealed the deal in the fourth. Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock will face Dobey in the next round following the Christmas break after his win over Rhys Griffin. Smith’s conqueror Doets will then be a potential opponent in the fourth round as the number of players remaining whittles down. Third and fourth round matches will see the number of sets increase from a best of five to a best of seven, with four needed to win. Should Dobey progress through both of these, he will reach a third consecutive quarter-final at Ally Pally. Follow talkSPORT 2 for exclusive live coverage of the PDC World Darts Championship Where to buy Luke Littler's darts range *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has released a collection with Target Darts, with prices starting at just £14.95. Choose from darts, hardware and accessories endorsed by the Grand Slam of Darts Champion 2024, or pick up The Nuke’s purple playing shirt, on the Target Darts website. Highlights include: Luke Littler brass 22g steel tip darts, £14.95 – buy here Luke Littler playing shirt, £39.95 – buy here Luke Littler 90% tungsten G1 SP darts, £99.95 – buy here Takoma Luke Litter wallet, £16.95 – buy here Luke Littler cabinet and dartboard with two sets of darts, £69.95 – buy here
Chris Dobey has explained why this year’s PDC World Championship big-name exits are not all that surprising.
A number of top seed stars have faced early defeats during the first week of darts action in this year’s tournament at Alexandra Palace.
Michael Smith, who was seeded second and became world champion in 2023, was beaten 3-2 by Kevin Doets on Thursday evening.
Saturday saw five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld dumped out by Nick Kenny.
The following evening, 14th seed Gary Anderson lost 3-0 against Jeffrey de Graaf.
And on Monday, Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall, who fifth and sixth seeds respectively, were sent home early.
However, 15th seed Dobey has told talkSPORT that these exits are not that surprising to him given the amount of quality at the oche.
Speaking on Breakfast, he said: “For the likes of myself and a few of the other lads, it’s no surprise because on floor this year, anybody can beat anybody.
“The standard is so high now so nothing to us is kind of a shock. It is for you guys because you suspect Gary and that to do well. But the standard now is ridiculous and everybody can beat anybody.”
But Dobey appears confident that he won’t suffer the same fate as his fellow seeded players.
He added: “Honestly I’m so happy with where my game’s at.
“I was a bit scrappy on the doubles the other night but if I can hit my doubles sooner, then I think I can go really deep in the competition, I’m feeling confident.”
Seeded players knocked out of the PDC World Championship
14 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts Championship
- (2) Michael Smith
- (5) Rob Cross
- (6) Dave Chisnall
- (13) Danny Noppert
- (14) Gary Anderson
- (16) James Wade
- (19) Ross Smith
- (22) Martin Schindler
- (24) Mike De Decker
- (25) Dirk van Duijvenbode
- (27) Gabriel Clemens
- (28) Gian van Veen
- (29) Richie Edhouse
- (32) Raymond van Barveveld
Dobey has reached the third round of the World Championship for a seventh consecutive year after he beat Alexander Merkx 3-1.
He led the first two sets and despite Merkx hitting back in the third, the 34-year-old sealed the deal in the fourth.
Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock will face Dobey in the next round following the Christmas break after his win over Rhys Griffin.
Smith’s conqueror Doets will then be a potential opponent in the fourth round as the number of players remaining whittles down.
Third and fourth round matches will see the number of sets increase from a best of five to a best of seven, with four needed to win.
Should Dobey progress through both of these, he will reach a third consecutive quarter-final at Ally Pally.
Follow talkSPORT 2 for exclusive live coverage of the PDC World Darts Championship
Where to buy Luke Littler's darts range
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has released a collection with Target Darts, with prices starting at just £14.95.
Choose from darts, hardware and accessories endorsed by the Grand Slam of Darts Champion 2024, or pick up The Nuke’s purple playing shirt, on the Target Darts website.
Highlights include:
