Smith throws a couple of loose darts, but MvG needed 167 and doesn't get close.

Smith checks out with 74.

What can Van Gerwen find to get back into this? He has not been pushed like this in this championship.

Smith throws first in the ninth set.

The match average scores look like this...

Smith 103.09-102.09 Van Gerwen.

If you need an indicator of how close, and how high quality, this match has been, there you have it.

But even such slight margins as one point make such a huge difference in elite sport.

And as such, Michael Smith is potentially six legs from being world champion.

Into single 16, needs double eight... gets it!

Daylight for Smith.

Image source, Getty Images

The crowd chant Smith's name with gusto as the St Helens man aims to take a two-set lead.

Van Gerwen holds, so Smith has to throw for it. He pulls out a 180 at the absolute optimum time - the 30th in 33 legs, his 17th of the match.

D16 for Smith to take the set...

Kris Jefferson: What a final this has been. Darts really showing it can be at the forefront of sport for drama and excitement.

Voice of the Mysterons: If this is the way that darts is likely to be going, is it possible that it's actually *too* good?

Luke Rundle: All you need to know about how unreal this match is, we’ve just had to have a substitution of a commentator.

John Part has replaced Wayne Mardle in the Sky Sports box - the joke is that Mardle has lost his voice after calling in that Smith nine-darter.

Van Gerwen throws the 29th 180 of the final, however Smith has started this set as he finished the last.

Another double top checkout.

Set eight. Can Smith be the first in this final to take a two-set lead?

He slots in his 16th 180 of the match, on the Van Gerwen throw, and sets up a double top finish.

He takes it!

Image source, Rex Features

The averages have slightly decreased for both men, but are still over 100 - 102.76 for Smith, 103.55 for Van Gerwen.

A drop-off after that breathless start was to be expected, and we still could have a long way to go, but Smith has the advantage right now.

I cannot remember a final like this, with such shifts in momentum.

Van Gerwen, one of the greatest ever, suddenly looked like an amateur down the pub after five pints.

He had walked back to his table and packed up his darts in that last set - before realising there was one more leg to go.

The way this final has gone, he'll come back after this set break and throw a nine-darter.

Smith hits D6 and wins the set! Back to back, he's back in front!

Van Gerwen suddenly looks shot. Smith suddenly looks like he can't miss.

Van Gerwen was walking off stage after that leg, it looked like he thought the set was over!

Remarkable.

A bit of fatigue setting in? Not from Smith, who strikes another 180.

Then Van Gerwen suddenly raises his game for a maximum!

But then Smith pulls a 130 checkout from nowhere!

Goodness me!

Image source, Getty Images

Van Gerwen holds his end, then we have a very odd leg where both men are suddenly unable to hit a treble.

Van Gerwen misses D9 for the set, and Smith takes D15 to keep himself in it.

Apologies for an earlier error, NOW we are in set seven.

Van Gerwen throws 140 then 180, before a 63 checkout to break Smith. Brilliant.

The crowd, very much partisan in favour of the Englishman, have re-found their voice. The group dressed as Teletubbies (I think) are in especially good voice.

Smith checks out to draw us level!

Image source, Getty Images

It must be very frustrating to be a Michael Smith fan tonight. He will throw incredible darts one leg, then end up absolutely nowhere on the next.

He misses a 136 checkout for a chance to break back, but then Van Gerwen misses two darts at D10!

Smith hits D5 for the third break in three legs in set six.

13-9 now on 180s, as MvG chucks in a beauty.

He breaks back.

Smith back on the 180s to set up a 121 finish, however he has enough space to play it safe and set up a double top finish.

Match average check klaxon.

104.89 for Smith, 105.42 for Van Gerwen.

The Dutchman is throwing the higher average for the first time in this match.