Image source, Getty Images

Long way to go, but that was the first set won by one player's level dropping, rather than by sheer quality of darts.

Smith had the momentum following THAT leg, but now it feels like Van Gerwen may be getting on top.

Smith chucks in a 60 at a key moment, he looks disgusted with himself.

The trebles have deserted him at the wrong time, and Van Gerwen is first on a finish.

Smith has blinked. Van Gerwen checks out with double top.

Is that a killer?

Smith checks out double top for 2-1 - he is doing what few thought was possible, and outscoring Van Gerwen.

MvG bites back with the 20th 180 of the match, his eighth personally. He checks out with D16 to take this set to a decider.

Van Gerwen throws a 100 checkout. A crucial hold.

Given how many breaks of throw we have seen, any hold will be welcomed by either man.

Set five, of 13. If we were playing 130 sets, it wouldn't be enough. This is superbly entertaining.

Smith throws another 180. He cannot miss that treble 20 tonight! That's his 12th so far.

Van Gerwen then throws a maximum of his own, but Smith checks out.

Both men are throwing 100+ averages - Smith with 106.31, Van Gerwen 103.88.

However there's room for improvement in their checkout records so far - seven from 17 for Smith, eight from 27 for Van Gerwen.

Clearly we have the two best players in the world in this final, but there are also some obvious nerves - when finishing, at least.

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Van Gerwen has regained some composure from that incredible Smith blitz, and is throwing more consistently.

He checks out 83, and levels the match by taking the fourth set to zero.

This final in a nutshell - Smith hit two 180s in that previous leg, and still lost it.

Make it make sense!

We have our 17th 180, taking us to 881 for the tournament. That is the record for the PDC Worlds!

Given the insanity of this final, I wouldn't be shocked if we got to 1,000.

Van Gerwen has raised his game meanwhile, and breaks Smith for 0-2.

Talbotski: Ridartculous.

I can't think of a better word to describe that nine-dart leg...

This game is oscillating between perfect darts, and both men missing simple shots. The drama it is creating is unparalleled.

Van Gerwen gets the first leg of set four with a double four.

Image source, Rex Features

Smith has a 170 check-out chance - but misses the bull by millimetres.

Van Gerwen however misses his out, and with double 10, Smith leads this final!

We are up to 14 180s for this final. That tournament record is going to be obliterated.

Van Gerwen misses three at D18! Then Smith fails to check out at 40!

Van Gerwen manages to get the break. This final is so topsy-turvy.

Smith threw an average of 128.09 in set two. You could place the darts in the board by hand and not get a better average than that.

Van Gerwen misses a bull out again! Smith then checks out with double 10. Bully Boy on top!

Right, must peel myself off the ceiling, we have a final on.

Third set begins, Smith throwing first. Both men have won their sets against the throw so far.

Van Gerwen misses a chance at bull for an early break, Smith saves it with double top.

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The first nine-darter of the 2023 World Championship, and the second in a final of a PDC Worlds - Adrian Lewis did it against Gary Anderson in 2011.

The fact that Van Gerwen only just missed a nine-darter makes that the greatest leg in the history of televised darts. Surely?

Smith is throwing a 111.50 average, Van Gerwen 109.66.

This final is exactly as good as we hoped it would be.

Nine 180s already in this match, 6-3 in favour of Smith.

The third leg of that set will be played over, and over again in years to come, and rightly so.

Utterly perfect darts, completely mesmeric sport.

That was a break of throw for Smith by the way.

He checks out in leg four with double 10, to level the match.

Oh my word, that was the best leg of darts I have ever seen!

I'm speechless! Which is not good for a live text!