But following a difficult start to 2005 Smith decided to give it one more shot and has been rewarded with some fine displays in recent months.

Now he is one of the men battling to reach the final from the half of the draw that has seen top-ranked Colin Lloyd and other big names crash out.

The final of the prestigious event takes place in Purfleet on 2 January.

"The first part of the year was rubbish and I couldn't win an argument to be honest," said world number 21 Smith.

"Then the World Matchplay at Blackpool came along in July and I was considering whether to give up, but I got to the quarter-finals.

"After that I started to play really well and got to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in Ireland.

I know I can play better than I showed in my first match - who knows, this may be my year Denis Ovens

"They say things come in threes and I've made the quarters and semis, so hopefully it might be the final here."

Perhaps fate has already smiled on Smith for his opening opponent, qualifier Mark Salmon, missed three match darts to knock him out.

And he is not the only "nearly man" hoping to reach a breakthrough final.

Denis Ovens is also targeting a possible showdown with 12-times champion Phil "The Power" Taylor.

Ovens, nicknamed "The Heat", took a week off from his job as a builder to prepare for the tournament and said after his win over Northern Ireland's Geoff Wylie: "It's cost me a fortune but it's paid off so far!

"My preparation has been good and I've been practising with Chris Mason. I know I can play better than I showed in my first match. Who knows, this may be my year."