Gary Anderson ends 'soul-destroying' run to climb off bottom of Premier League table
Former world champion finally gets his Premier League campaign up and running.
Gary Anderson hauled himself off the bottom of the Premier League table after beating Michael Smith in Nottingham.
Anderson had made a poor start to his campaign but he was close to his irresistbale best on night three.
The Scotsman started the night a little nervously, edging past Jonny Clayton 6-5. However, he took the confidence from that into a clash with world champion Peter Wright, who he beat much more convincingly 6-3.
Smith, meanwhile, had to negotiate his way past James Wade and Gerwyn Price, who had earlier downed Michael van Gerwen.
It was Smith's second successive final, but Anderson got the better of him to win 6-4.
"I'm off the bottom of the table and I'm happy," Anderson said. "Just to get two points would have done me, I'd have been happy.
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β PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 17, 2022
What a night for Gary Anderson that is as he beats Michael Smith to wrap up a 6-4 win over Michael Smith to be crowned winner in Nottingham.
He's off the bottom of the table as he picks up maximum points!#CazooPL pic.twitter.com/NCrL1GXJNQ
"It's been an absolute nightmare. It's soul-destroying when you turn up week-in, week-out and get beaten, and you're hitting 89 averages.
"Once we step on that stage, even if you know you're struggling, you still want to win. I was rubbish against Jonny and hit or miss against Peter, but I played well against Michael.
"Even during the final, it's still not right and I'm not comfortable. On the practice board, everything's fine but when I come up [on stage] everything's not right so that's up to me to sort out."