Smith wins Grand Slam of Darts title

Michael Smith's had lost all eight major finals he had appeared in before his Grand Slam of Darts win

Michael Smith beat Nathan Aspinall 16-5 to win the Grand Slam of Darts - and claim a first major title on his ninth attempt.

"Finally, I feel like I've arrived with a title under my belt," he said.

"Nathan let me get away with it there, but it's time to step up now."

The world number four from St Helens added: "Now it's my time to be greedy and win more and get what I want."

It was the second major final in six weeks for Stockport's Aspinall, 31, who was runner-up at the recent World Grand Prix.

"It was a horrific performance by myself, I just couldn't find the triple 20 and couldn't score," he said.

"I just think two games was too much for me today. It was a bad night at the office, but if I had to lose to anyone I'm glad it was Michael.

"But I'll take the positives from this week, I'm buzzing to have reached another major final."

Earlier in the semi-finals, Smith beat 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld 16-12 and Aspinall showed class to find a way past Luke Humphries 16-12.