Ross Smith won his maiden European Tour title on Sunday with an 8-3 victory over Ryan Searle.
The 37-year-old beat Michael van Gerwen and Cameron Menzies on route to securing his ninth PDC ranking crown.
What happened?
Ross Smith opened with a strong 6-3 win over Joe Cullen, averaging above 102 and finishing efficiently.
He followed that with a tense 6-4 success against Ricardo Pietreczko, breaking throw at the decisive moment.
A dramatic quarter-final against Michael van Gerwen saw Smith edge a last-leg decider despite trailing the Dutchman in the averages.
Why it matters for Ross Smith
The win delivered his ninth PDC ranking title and strengthened his position inside the world's top 16.
Smith's composed, high-quality performances earned him a standout weekend in Riesa.
He established a 3-1 lead against Searle, absorbed a brief comeback, and then accelerated away by taking five of the next six legs.
What comes next?
Ross Smith will look to build on this momentum in upcoming tournaments, including the Premier League Darts Finals Night on Thursday.
"I'm so happy to finally win one," said Ross Smith, who had lost his four previous European Tour finals.
The International Darts Open results saw Rob Cross reach the semi-finals after surviving match darts against Ryan Joyce.
Cameron Menzies produced a remarkable turnaround against James Wade, winning six consecutive legs from 4-0 down to reach his first semi-final of the season.
The final saw Ross Smith beat Ryan Searle 8-3, securing his maiden European Tour title on Sunday, May 24, 2026.