Missed doubles proved costly for Oxfordshire hope Dennis Smith at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.
The 42-year-old county ace was given a lesson by last year’s runner-up, Simon Whitlock, who cruised through the first-round tie 3-0, dropping just one leg in the first set.
Australian Whitlock, a cult figure with his long beard and ponytail, was competing for the first time since October when he broke a bone in his ankle.
But he showed few signs of rust as he hit seven maximums and seven 140’s compared with Smith’s two 180’s and four 140’s.
The finishing percentages told the story, Whitlock managing 60 per cent to Smith’s 11.
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