Darts star declares 'I hate this game' after setting up mouthwatering Luke Humphries tie

Darts star Michael Smith has shared his frustrations ahead of a mouthwatering clash with reigning world champion Luke Humphries.

Smith lifted his first World Championship title in 2023, defeating three-time winner Michael van Gerwen in a dramatic final.

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But Bullyboy has struggled for form ever since, with Smith crashing out of the 2024 World Championship in the fourth round.

Outspoken about his struggles, Smith has blamed his poor performances on a mix of low scoring and issues with hitting doubles.

And while Smith believes his scoring is back up to scratch, the 33-year-old is still unsettled by his doubles: “The last few weeks I've just not been able to hit a double.

“The scoring has come back but the doubles have vanished and that's why I hate this game.

“When things aren't going your way it's a bit disheartening but a 96 average with 6 out of 30 on the doubles is not too bad."

Smith will look to remedy any issues at the oche when he takes on Humphries in the quarter-final of the Polish Masters later on today.

And having fallen short in previous editions of the competition, the St Helens-born ace has set his sights on being crowned winner.

He added: “I know I'm going to get a 102/103 average, I'm going to turn up and play well and if the scoring turns up like it did in this one, I just need to put one in every two or three darts at double instead of one in every seven.

“But it's swings and roundabouts, that's why everyone loves this game.

“It's the one title I want. I think I've been in every single round apart from winning. With Luke, we get on really well too but I don't want to say too much or put too much pressure on.”

Elsewhere at the Polish Masters, Luke Littler is expected to book a spot in the semi-finals, with the teenage sensation paired against Peter Wright.

Should that prove to be the case, Littler will take on the winner of Smith vs Humphries in the last four.

On the opposite side of the draw, an all-English quarter-final clash will see Rob Cross and Stephen Bunting go head-to-head.

World No.57 Boris Krcmar will be hoping to cause an upset in his quarter-final match against Van Gerwen.