Smith seals comeback win

Dennis Smith came from three sets down to claim a stunning 4-3 victory over Kevin McDine in the afternoon session of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

McDine was seemingly headed for a regulation victory and a place in the last 16 before Smith, a qualifier, hit back.

After levelling at 3-3, Smith opened up a 2-0 lead in the deciding set with a 128 checkout before McDine won the third leg with his eighth maximum.

However, his opponent was not to be denied and completed victory with a double eight for a stunning win which equals his defeat of world number five Terry Jenkins last weekend.

Smith, who meets either Mervyn King or Mark Walsh in round three, was a World Championship semi-finalist eight years ago but has dropped out of the top 32 in the past two years.

Smith said: “I thought I was dead and buried but I kept digging in and Kevin took his foot off the pedal.

“It feels absolutely brilliant and great to be back in the big time.

“I thought I was going home but I have to come back on Tuesday now.”

In the other two matches of the afternoon session, former Amsterdam tram driver Co Stompe defeated Alan Tabern 4-1 and 2007 semi-finalist Kevin Painter powered past Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez by the same score.