Back starting the set on his throw, Michael Smith gets six darts to finish off 156, helped by a bounce out for Kevin Doets.

"Bully Boy" takes the two treble 20s but goes too low on double 18.

Smith lays up double eight on his next visit, taking it out for the leg.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a question a few of you have asked, so we consulted the official rules.

Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 metres), while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7ft 9.25 ins.

That's a fair old way when you're under pressure.

Going for the second set, Kevin Doets starts with a 177 and after nine darts, has just 90 remaining to break Michael Smith's throw.

The Dutchman picks out treble 20 and double 15 straight away to win the set and in doing so, he levels the match.

Mysteron Voice makes a very good point.

The current PDC Order of Merit includes his 2023 World Championship win, which will be erased from the earnings when this tournament ends.

Smith avoids a set two whitewash, breaking Kevin Doets on double four.

Mysteron Voice on X: A big thing being made about Michael Smith being the world number two - he may be *seeded* two, but now he's lost the points from his World Championship win, on live rankings, he's currently down at number 15.

Michael Smith commands the second leg of the set, the first on his set, getting three darts to take out double 20.

Bully Boy goes close with all three, but they are all a smidge high.

Kevin Doets gets a chance to break on 76, but goes low on double 20.

Smith then recreates his last throw, a strong case of de ja vu.

He is baffled, as are the crowd.

Doets gets three at double 10 and pins the third for a 2-0 set lead.

Kevin Doets' bad luck continues at the start of the second set, seeing one dart bounce out of treble 20 on his second visit.

His next trip brings a 180, but chasing his tail, Michael Smith is only slight behind as both men near a finish.

Doets goes first on 82 and with his first dart at double 20, takes it out for a hold of throw.

Kevin Doets could have easily won that first set 3-0, but 11 missed darts at doubles opened the door for world umber two Michael Smith.

"Bully Boy" is averaging 90.18, while Doets edges him on 91.63.

Smith has landed three double attempts, but has had eight chances himself.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Smith has been in four world finals in six years. He loves this time of year and almost gets as much out of it as Mariah Carey.

Michael Smith is on course for a first set whitewash, but another 180 from Kevin Doets brings him to a finish first.

Despite that, Bully Boy gets three darts at 58, but cannot finish.

Doets returns for three goes at double 20. The first is high, the second is low and the third misses double 10. That is now 11 missed doubles in three legs.

Smith mops up to win the first set 3-0.

On the first leg on his throw, Kevin Doets' first 180 of the night gives him six darts to take out 82.

The first three leave him with a whole visit just to pin double 10.

He misses that and double five but intentionally busts on his last dart.

Michael Smith closes in and on Doets' return, he does the same but does not bust.

Smith breaks throw on double 20 after a number of missed doubles from the Dutchman.

A good start for Kevin Doets, who gets to a finish first but ends his 127 hopes with a single one.

Michael Smith narrowly misses double 16 to take out 112 himself.

"Bully Boy" is back for three darts at double eight, finding it with his second arrow.

The world number two Michael Smith knows he needs a good run at this World Championship to stay anywhere near his current world ranking position at the end of the tournament.

Hoping to cause an early upset is his Dutch opponent, Kevin Doets.

A year ago, Smith beat Doets at this stage. Can he do the same tonight?

Smith to throw first, game on!

Image source, Getty Images

The final match of the evening takes place in the second round between 2023 world champion Michael Smith and Dutchman Kevin Doets.

Smith, the current world number two, won this tournament two years ago and has reached the final in three of the previous six editions.

Doets, 51st in the PDC's Order of Merit, is at the World Championship for a second straight year. Last year, he also made the second round and advanced to this stage this year after beating Netherlands compatriot Noa-Lynn van Leuven 3-1 on Tuesday.

The winner could face Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski, the 31st seed, in the third round.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Looking at his socials, Michael Smith is talking a good game. He says he's hitting nine-darters for fun.

Image source, PDC

A Michael Smith decoration.

Spotted on a tree at Ally Pally.

One more 180 from Scott Williams! I have completely lost count.

Meanwhile, Niko Springer has 124 for the set.

20, treble 18 and then, a 25 sees him just miss out.

Williams needs 81 for the set. The first two darts are good, but he misses double 13.

Back to Springer, who misses two darts at double eight for a level match.

Alexandra Palace chant "Shaggy, Shaggy" and Shaggy delivers on double 11 to win the match.

Match of the tournament. That will take some beating!

Williams will face Rob Cross in the next round.

Nine perfect darts start this leg from the two men combined and Scott Williams is three darts away from a nine-darter!

Not sure what the thinking was going for 16s, but he misses the first attempt at a treble to leave 80 after nine darts.

With the next three he goes tops, 20 and a miss on double 10.

Shaggy takes double five and is one leg away from the third round.

Niko Springer leaves a Shanghai 120 finish to hold his throw and after Scott Williams puts pressure on with a 180, the German goes low on double 20.

Two missed double 10 shots bring Springer back into play. He takes the same double on the second attempt for the leg.

Niko Springer is doing his utmost to turn it into his set and with a 140 checkout, was a double 16 away from doubling his lead.

He misses, Scott Williams hits.

Level we go in the fourth.