Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen advanced to the last 16 of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship on Saturday, with Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey also celebrating their victories.
Littler and Van Gerwen headlined a star-studded double session at London’s Alexandra Palace, as six other third-round matches took place in the capital.
Littler crashed into a dozen maximums and averaged almost 98 to defeat Stoke-on-Trent veteran Ian White, overcoming a slow start to close out a hard-fought 4-1 victory.
“I know I can do a lot better, but on set pieces the main thing is to win.” insisted Littler, who will face a resurgent Ryan Joyce for a place in the last eight.
“I was happy with my performance score-wise. My doubles need to be a little better, but as soon as I won that first set tonight, I felt settled.
“I’m waiting for the same old Ryan [Joyce] – getting my doubles for the first or second time, but I just have to take the opportunities when I can.
Van Gerwen insisted he still had plenty left in the tank after continuing his quest for the title with a 4-2 victory over Dolan, defying a late fightback from the Northern Irish veteran.
Dolan drew first blood in a competitive first set, although Van Gerwen responded with a stunning run of eight straight games – including 129 and 149 combinations – to establish a 3-1 buffer.
Dolan won a scrappy fifth set to reduce the arrears, only for the Dutchman to regain his composure in the closing stages to advance to a meeting against Paolo Nebrida or Jeffrey de Graaf.
“I definitely had to fight. It was not an easy match at all. » mused Van Gerwen, who averaged 97 and shot ten 180s on his way to victory.
“I feel good. Of course, there is still a lot of work to do, but I believe in my own abilities and my own opportunities.
“I think I’m only playing at 10% of my level, but I’m still in the tournament, so if I can build on that, I think I can be in a really good position.”
Earlier today, former quarter-finalist Joyce scored an epic seven-set victory over Ryan Searle to maintain his impressive run in the televised ranking events.
Searle recovered from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to force a deciding match, although the Somerset star was denied by a relentless Joyce, who followed up a 113 with a 13-darter to triumph in a final exciting.
“I always talk about my finishing, so it’s nice to show it on the big stage,” mused Joyce, who hit 62 percent of her doubles attempts to defy Searle’s 100.97 average.
“I hope this is the start of me being able to produce 100 averages every time I play.
“I know I will have to be at my best against Luke to have a chance of winning, but he will also have to play well to beat me!”
Aspinall maintained his title fight with a straight-set demolition of Andrew Gilding, converting 60% of his doubles attempts to advance to the last 16 for the first time in five years.
The Stockport star followed up his maiden victory over Leonard Gates with a clinical display in the outer ring, as he out-raced Gilding in a battle between the former UK Open champions.
Aspinall’s reward will be a showdown with Ricardo Pietreczko, who kept Germany’s hopes alive with an impressive 4-1 victory over last year’s semi-finalist Scott Williams.
Pietreczko produced one of his best performances on the big stage to break new ground at Alexandra Palace, clearing 129 and 121 boxes while also producing an average of 118 in the fourth set.
Elsewhere, Dobey produced a brilliant double-double to defeat Northern Ireland number one Josh Rock, winning three straight sets to close out a 4-2 success.
Both men landed nine 180s each in a high-octane affair, although Dobey underlined his credentials in the latter stages, winning nine of the final 12 rounds to prevail with a 97 average.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship continues on Sunday, as the remaining four matches of the third round take place alongside the first two matches of the last 16.
Defending champion Luke Humphries takes on two-time winner Peter Wright for a place in the quarter-finals, while Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price face off in an all-Welsh affair.
Click here for match stats and results.
Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2024/25
Saturday December 28
Third round
Afternoon session
Ryan Joyce 4-3 Ryan Searle (3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 4-2)
Ricardo Pietreczko 4-1 Scott Williams (3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2)
Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Evening session
Chris Dobey 4-2 Josh Rock (1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1)
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Brendan Dolan (2-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2)
Luke Littler 4-1 Ian White (3-2, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1)
Sunday December 29
Third round
Afternoon session (12:30 GMT)
Jeffrey de Graaf against Paolo Nebrida
Kevin Doets in Krzysztof Ratajska
Dimitri Van den Bergh vs. Callan Rydz
Evening session (7:00 p.m. GMT)
Third round
Ricky Evans contre Robert Owen
Fourth round
Jonny Clayton against Gerwyn Prix
Luke Humphries contre Peter Wright
