Bernie Smith's comeback falls agonisingly shortGETTY IMAGES Bernie Smith won his qualifier to reach the first round of the world darts championship. Bernie Smith's impressive comeback has fallen just short of earning him a date with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor. He fought back to lock the match up at two sets all before eventually losing the match in a fifth set tiebreaker. Earlier, Smith progressed to the first round after beating China's Xiao Chen Zong in a preliminary qualifier two sets to nil. Fellow Kiwi Cody Harris who was also knocked out in the first round, was in the crowd to cheer Smith on.

Source: Stuff December 20, 2017 20:23 UTC