“Actually, I’m made up with the win. I’m simply so completely satisfied,” stated Smith, who suffered first-round exits in New Zealand and Australia in his solely two different appearances within the 2026 World Collection.
“You’re enjoying Gerwyn Worth – among the best gamers on the earth. You’ve got to up your recreation.”
Smith beat Northern Eire’s Josh Rock 10-7 within the final eight and Dutch hope Gian van Veen 11-8 within the semi-finals to offer himself a shot on the £100,000 winner’s prize.
Worth, in the meantime, made it previous England’s James Wade within the quarter-finals earlier than beating compatriot Jonny Clayton – Littler’s conqueror – within the final 4.
The 2020 and 2022 winner gained back-to-back legs to make it 5-5 in opposition to Smith within the last however was hanging on as his opponent continued to attain closely albeit with a decrease checkout success.
Smith, nevertheless, was much more medical after the interval, profitable the subsequent three legs, together with back-to-back checkouts of 127 and 123.
The checkouts cooled however Smith gained a succession of scrappy legs to seal victory as Worth’s recreation abandoned him.
Earlier, Littler’s bid for a clear sweep of all main PDC titles in 2026 was ended by a 10-4 defeat by Clayton within the quarter-finals.
The world primary had adopted his World Championship triumph at Alexandra Palace in January by profitable titles on the World Masters, UK Open, Premier League, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay.
However after threatening to boycott occasions within the Netherlands after being roundly booed by the group throughout his last-16 win over Nathan Aspinall, the Warrington-based participant failed to supply his greatest darts in opposition to Clayton.