ROSS SMITH was bitten THREE TIMES by a wasp but still had too much sting for Niels Zonneveld.
The Dover thrower delivered a powerhouse show to dump the Dutchman 3-1 at the Ally Pally.
Smith, 34, survived the latest encounter with the oche insect and now believes he is a dark horse for the title.
He said: “I got stung three times, I’m going to be like the Elephant Man tomorrow. It went ping, ping, ping and flew off. Luckily it’s my left hand.
I know I’m playing well. I believe I can win it, I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
“I also know there’s another 20 players who could possibly win it, I’m realistic.
“I turn up every year and feel like I can do well. I’m sort of under the radar. The stats say something else but stats don’t win you games.
“The fans were amazing. That can add more pressure. But not today, they really helped me.”
Former European Champion Smith admitted that it was one of the most special wins of his career because his eight-year-old son Archie was present in the VIP area.
He added: “The the first time Archie has been here or ever watched me play.
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To win in front of him was so important!
“I’m so pleased to win and I had him in the practice room with me. I was a bit nervy because it was the first round. But him being there sort of relaxed me and brought me back to normality in a way. It was quite nice to talk about Pokemon!”
It’s the second time a wasp has played a part in the action this year after one interrupted Luke Humphries during his game with Lee Evans.
The wasp landed on Humphries’ case during the very first leg of the match.
Fortunately for Humphries though, he did not fall victim to the insect – managing to swat the creature away before it could cause any damage.
