World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Aspinall in action, Sherrock fails to set up Littler clash – latest updates
THE World Darts Championship is well underway at the iconic Alexandra Palace - and there are some huge names yet to feature.
Wednesday's featured match sees Nathan Aspinall go head-to-head with Leonard Gates.
Last night, Peter Wright's first match of the tournament saw him beat Wesley Plaiser 3-1, despite some nervy moments for Snakebite.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven's historic World Darts Championship debut against Kevin Doets ended in disappointment as she lost 3-1.
Fallon Sherrock crashed out of the World Darts Championship after Ryan Meikle edged the first-round match 3-2.
If Sherrock was victorious she would have met teen sensation Luke Littler in a blockbuster clash on Saturday night - but it will be Meikle who he faces in round two.
- Start time: From 7pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW / Sky Sports app
- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
- Explainer: When does Luke Littler play?
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Pitch for success
Leonard Gates is into the second round at Ally Pally but he revealed his first sporting love is baseball.
It was only 26 years ago that Gates was forging a career of his own in a completely different sport altogether.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Gates opened up on his journey in baseball, where his exploits at collegiate level caught the eye of a two-time World Series champion.
His best position, in his own words, was catcher.
But Gates also played as a first baseman and a relief pitcher.
Gates told talkSPORT: "Oh my god, I love the game.
"I still do some activities with baseball. Baseball is my first love.
"I played high school, played in college, got a scholarship to go to college.
"When I got over to college, the scouts were like, 'This guy can hit, he has all the tools to play this and that.'"
Littler wants to meet idol
Luke Littler has revealed that the one celebrity he would like to meet is Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
“There’s only one person who I would like to meet and that’s Cristiano Ronaldo,” Littler told 90min.
Next Luke Littler's line up
Darts-playing youngsters have doubled in numbers after the success of the sport's teenage sensation Luke Littler.
Littler made it to the PDC World Championship final as a 16-year-old, which saw both online interest in the game soar and him crowned BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 on Tuesday night.
Social media influencers have also played their part and the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) in Wales claim darts has become one of the fastest growing sports with children.
Smith only sees 'one threat'
Former world champion Michael Smith believes there is only one threat for him at the tournament - himself.
He told Ace Odds: "It depends on how my head is. The only threat I see for myself is how I play. I don't know, if you come away from the favorites, I think Chris Dobey will have a good run there. He could go very well. Obviously, you've got Mike De Decker playing well and Richie Edwards.
"But then you've got the likes of the old boys like [Gary] Anderson's playing well.
"Peter Wright could come back at any time. It's an open field, this tournament's massively open because you've got, I think, both Luke’s in the same half. Anyone can come back.
"I know my form's coming back, Gerwyn Price’s form will be coming back. It could be a dangerous one this year."
Today's darts
It's just the one session, an evening one from 7pm on Wednesday.
Here are the matches:
Jim Williams vs. Paolo Nebrida
Madars Razma vs. Christian Kist
Ricky Evans vs. Gordon Mathers
Nathan Aspinall (12) vs. Leonard GatesLittler scoops Young SPOTY prize
Luke Littler has issued a classy statement after narrowly missing out on being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
"First SPOTY and taking home two trophies," wrote Littler. "Huge honour for me to win Young Sports Personality of the Year and finish second for Sports Personality.
"Support this year has been amazing and want to say thank you to everyone who voted and sent messages."
Round up of Tuesday's results
Sherrock report
Fallon Sherrock fell at the first hurdle in the World Darts Championship.
Read what SunSport's Rob Maul made of her performance below in his report.
Meikle to play Luke Littler next
After defeating Fallon Sherrock, Ryan Meikle will next play Luke Littler.
He said:
For me, it's an unbelievable prize, to play Luke Littler on this stage - the biggest stage of them all.
"No-one knows what is going to happen on Saturday, but to play him here, I'm really happy.
"I'm not going to say that I'm going to win, but I just can't wait to play him."
Sherrock reaction to defeat
It was a struggle but I gave it absolutely everything, I couldn’t have done any more.
“I kept digging in to stay in the game and I never gave up.
“I’m happy to win two sets but obviously gutted to lose.
“It hurts at the moment but there are positives I can take from this going forward.
“I really felt like the 170 was going to go – it felt like the Gabriel Clemens moment (at the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts)] all over again. But it wasn’t to be.
“I always love playing at Ally Pally and the crowd gave me great support tonight."Wright thankful
Peter Wright thanked the crowd for getting him through his win over Wesley Plaisier.
He told Sky Sports: "It wasn't my battling qualities, it was this crowd that got me through. They wanted me to win - I thank you all.
"Wesley had his chances, but he missed them and I took them. He's going to be a dangerous player for next year.
"I played rubbish but I didn't want to let down all these guys getting behind me, didn't want to let my family down."
Match stats
Wright 3-2 Plaisier (3-1)
Good visit from Wright, 134.
Made up for his 50 odd in his first three throws.
Huge double 19 then gets him to a 82 checkout.
Plaisier's on 48, so this is nervy.
For the match, Wright needs double 6. YES! Snakebite wins!
Wright 2-2 Plaisier (2-1)
Great fightback from Wright.
But Plaisier scores a 130 plus to whittle his score down to 183.
Wright will have another go at 68. Finds the guide for the double 4, but then misses the opportunity to send it to a deciding leg in this set.
Plasier needs 43. Can he find the double 8? NO! He scores 35.
And we are going the distance.
Wright 1-2 Plaisier (2-1)
That's class from Snakebite.
A 127 finish, complete with a bullseye at the end.
That'll spark him into life, surely. He's broken the rot.
Wright 0-2 Plaisier (2-1)
A 180 from Wright, that's a good response.
But he needs 141 to go, it doesn't and 68 won't do.
Plaisier sinks 48, and he's on a roll.
Averages 89 for Wright and 95 for Plaisier at the moment.
Wright 0-1 Plaisier (2-1)
Wright's 180 puts pressure on Plaisier, leaving 4.
But Plaisier doesn't feel it and gets his 40 to get over the line.
Wright will be concerned. That's four legs on the spin Plaisier has won.
Wright 0-3 Plaisier (2-1)
That was a brilliant 136 checkout from Plaisier.
Really good set from the Dutchman, who takes it.
He's averaging 100 now too.
Wright 0-2 Plaisier (2-0)
Amazingly, though, it's Wright who sets up 56 with a 60 score and could snatch this leg.
Plaisier, on 208, leaves himself 68 with a brilliant 140.
And that wasn't in the script. Wright makes a mess of it with a no score on his next go.
Plaisier gets the wrong double himself, when he needs a double 16 in return.
It's catching. Wright can't get over the line, so Plaisier puts him out of his misery with a double 8.
Wright 0-1 Plaisier (2-0)
Well, Plaisier bounced back with ease there.
He waltzed along in that leg and took it without a blink.
Wright will need to wake up.
Wright 3-2 Plaisier (2-0)
98 keeps Wright interested on a 56 checkout.
Plaisier needs 80 and he misses the double 10 and double 5!
Wright sets himself up with a marker for the double 20, but misses!
Awkward double for Plaisier, though, with the double 5... he missed all three! He's had eight darts to win this set, and not got one of 'em.
And the drama ends with Wright getting his double AT LAST. He's two sets to the good.
Wright 2-2 Plaisier (1-0)
140, great throw from Plaisier, leaves him with double tops.
A possible 13-darter on.... but he misses all three!
Wright with the 84 checkout takes it! What a steal.
Wright 1-2 Plaisier (1-0)
All the legs so far have gone against throw.
Plaisier takes it, again, on Wright's throw.
Snakebite will have to break back to keep himself in the set.
Wright 1-1 Plaisier (1-0)
That's Peter Wright of old.
His finishing is 57 per cent, and he's quickly broken back.
Snakebite's average is creeping up to 95 as well.
Wright 0-1 Plaisier (1-0)
A 180 in the leg.
And a 117 checkout to win it. That's some reply from Plaisier.
He takes the first leg of the second set.