SMITH OVERCOMES TRAVEL NIGHTMARE

MICHAEL SMITH admitted “someone is looking out for me” after a travel nightmare almost derailed his campaign.

The former world champion battled through chaos behind the scenes to beat Jonny Clayton 6–4 and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Poland Masters. 

It marks the first time ‘Bully Boy’ has gone beyond the third round at a European Tour event since May last year. 

Smith revealed it came after he missed his flight and only arrived in Krakow on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t want to swear but it is such a bad stat. That’s not me. I want to be winning and competing at these events.

“I got really lucky there — Jonny had an off day and he let me in. 

“After getting beat in the qualifiers, I got the call-up. Then I missed the flight to get here and only arrived on Saturday. 

“To now get into the quarter-finals, I think someone is looking out for me. I am really pleased with that.” 

World No.32 Smith looked in control at 4–1 up but admitted he almost let it slip through his fingers. 

He added: “When I was 4–1 up I was expecting it. You just sit back on your morals and not push for it. 

“I never pushed and you saw when I was throwing I was frustrated. I got lucky and I got through. 

“Today my preparation was all over the place. I arrived just over two hours before my match when I normally arrive four hours before. 

“I think my flight on Friday — when I missed it on Saturday morning — it took it out of me, where I couldn’t get out of bed. 

“Everyone knows I am a lazy person. Now I have a lot of time to prepare for [Chris] Dobey.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.