World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen look to progress to last 16 – latest updates
WORLD Darts Championship action has returned after a short Christmas break - and there are several blockbuster matches on show at Ally Pally today!
Michael van Gerwen goes head-to-head with Brendan Dolan before teenage sensation Luke Littler meets Ian White in the main event of the night.
Last night, defending champion Luke Humphries thrashed Welshman Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a last-16 clash with Peter Wright.
- Start time: From 12:45pm GMT
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- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
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Joyce 2-2 Searle
Searle can't close 60, missing the double 10.
But Joyce is a long way behind. Or is he! 133 leaves him 50.
Searle gets over the line with his last dart on the double 5.
Joyce 2-1 Searle
Joyce could really show off with a 164 finish.
But he'll have to settle for 96.
Searle puts the pressure on - leaving 60.
But that's impressive from Joyce, who checks out 68.
Joyce 1-1 Searle
Searle the wrong side of the wire for a 180, but has to settle for 140.
But he's the first on a finish with 161 - setting up 96.
Joyce flounders on 147.
Searle checks out with a treble 20, double 18.
Joyce 1-0 Searle
Good start from Joyce. 136 left after just nine darts.
Then scores 100 to leave double 18.
Searle puts pressure on with a 180 - leaving 41.
Joyce splits, ending with a double 9 after missing 36.
Time to meet the players
First to walk on is 'Relentless' Ryan Joyce.
He's going to be followed by Ryan 'Heavy Metal' Searle - and his familiar Black Sabbath walk-on song.
What a contest to start things off this afternoon.
Humphries snaps back
FIRED-UP Luke Humphries has warned oche foe Peter Wright: Your mind games won’t work on me!
Humphries said: "Peter’s had a lot to say over the last couple of weeks, where he says that he doesn’t fear me and Luke Littler. He says he’s going to smash us.
"So, yeah, all the pressure’s on him now because if he doesn’t, then the egg is on his face, not mine.
"I’m really, really relaxed and, if he doesn’t beat us, then it’s going to look silly on him, not me.
"Peter, I think, said something like Barney is going to smash me and he’s going to smash Jermaine.
"Well, he got his end of the bargain. I think Peter loves to play the mind games, but it doesn’t work with me.
"I’m one world title away from almost matching his career and I’m about 25 years younger.
"One more world title would sort of match everything he’s ever achieved in the game."
Here's what to look forward to
Today's matches promise to be intriguing.
Fired up Humphries
Luke Humphries has warned oche foe Peter Wright: Your mind games won’t work on me!
And the world No.1 claims trash-talking Snakebite will have "egg on his face" if he is eliminated tomorrow night.
After his second-round win, Wright claimed Raymond van Barneveld would dethrone the world champion in round three – and "then me and Barney will have the best game ever you’ve seen on that stage".
Humphries said: "Peter's had a lot to say over the last couple of weeks, where he says that he doesn't fear me and Luke Littler. He says he's going to smash us.
"So, yeah, all the pressure's on him now because if he doesn't, then the egg is on his face, not mine.
"I’m really, really relaxed and, if he doesn't beat us, then it's going to look silly on him, not me."
Credit: Getty Luke who's back
Luke Littler then wraps up tonight's third round matches against Ian White.
Littler vs White is set to get underway from 9.45pm at Ally Pally to headline the evening session.
Credit: Getty
30 min klaxon
Just over 30 minutes to go until the action kicks off for the day!
And what an afternoon session is in store.
Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle gets us underway before Nathan Aspinall vs Andrew Gilding headlines the afternoon session.
- Ryan Joyce vs Ryan Searle
- Scott Williams vs Ricardo Pietreczko
- Nathan Aspinall vs Andrew Gilding
Credit: Getty Wright's interview cut short
Peter Wright was lost for words after beating Jermaine Wattimena - and had to cut short his post-match interview.
The 54-year-old star battled his way past the Dutchman to reach the last-16 of the PDC World Championship.
Sky Sports host Abigail Davies questioned Wright on the Palace stage following his win.
But Wright - - could barely croak his way through the interview.
The two-time world champion has been struggling with the lurgy throughout the last few days.
He spluttered to Davies: "Obviously, Jermaine felt sorry for me.
"It wasn't affecting my darts, holding my breath. Hopefully I feel a little bit better [in the next round]."
Ballon d'Art
Here is who is leading the Ballon d'Art leaderboard for the most 180s so far at this year's World Championship.
- Joe Cullen - 15
- Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright - 14
- Scott Williams - 13
- Kevin Doets, Wessel Nijman, Florian Hempel, Rhys Griffin, Jermaine Wattimena - 12
Littler warned 'Man Utd' syndrome
Luke Littler has been warned by legend Phil Taylor of 'Manchester United' syndrome, ahead of his third round clash tonight.
And no, that isn't being wary of conceding directly from a corner.
16-time champ Taylor said: “He’s interested in titles. He’s interested in enjoying himself. If he doesn’t win, he isn’t a sulker.
“He doesn’t throw his toys out of the cot. He just gets on with it and the next one.
“What Luke has to be careful of is: ‘Don’t be complacent.’
“I used to call it the 'Manchester United syndrome'. Because United never got an easy game.
“I never got an easy game as everybody tried their best against me.
Whoever plays Luke will either play brilliantly or play poorly. There will be no middle section.
“They will go up there and try their socks off. Because one, they will earn good prize money and secondly, they’ll make a big name for themselves.”
Credit: Rex Evening session fixtures
The action is then back underway from 7pm tonight, with two matches before Littler including Chris Dobey vs Josh Rock opening up.
- Chris Dobey vs Josh Rock
- Michael van Gerwen vs Brendan Dolan
- Luke Littler vs Ian White
All eyes on Luke Littler
Then in the evening session tonight, Luke Littler returns for a third round clash against Ian White.
Littler's match against White is scheduled to start from 9.45pm.
Credit: Rex
Today's matches
Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle kick us off before Nathan Aspinall vs Andrew Gilding headlines the afternoon session.
With the tasty clash of Scott Williams vs Ricardo Pietreczko in the middle.
- Ryan Joyce vs Ryan Searle
- Scott Williams vs Ricardo Pietreczko
- Nathan Aspinall vs Andrew Gilding
Credit: Getty Last night's results
Defending champion Luke Humphries showed his credentials with a stunning whitewash win, while Gerwyn Price went to sudden death against Joe Cullen in a classic.
- Gerwyn Price 4-3 Joe Cullen
- Jermaine Wattimena 2-4 Peter Wright
- Luke Humphries 4-0 Nick Kenny
Credit: Rex Saturday's matches
Humphries relishing Wright clash
I'm not going to give it this world title without a fight. It’s not my best, but when someone pushes me I know I can provide the good.
“He said a few things in the last round. He said Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] was going to smash me and he was going to smash Jermaine [Wattimena]
“He said he don't fear me and Luke Littler, so we'll see when we play again.”
Clayton for Price next
After winning that cracker against Joe Cullen, Price faces Jonny Clayton next.
Humphries reaction
It was one of them games where I didn't want to take it for granted.
"I know Nick Kenny weren’t at his best at the game against Barney, but the stats there showed he played a lot better and I expected a little bit better from him.
“I wasn't firing. I felt that was so much more to give, it just weren't coming out of me, but a solid performance. As long as I can keep winning every set, no sets lost, is all that matters.”
Look back at those Wright stats
Peter Wright will face Humphries next. He was imperious against Jermaine Wattimena.
Match stats
Humphries made it look easy, although he wasn't at his best.
Humphries 3-0 Kenny (4-0)
It's a clean sweep!
Double tops gives Humphries a 78 finish.
Humphries was in second gear, in what was a professional display, without any frills.
Humphries 2-0 Kenny (3-0)
Wonderful finish from the world No1.
A 145 checkout, and that just oozes class.
Takes his average above 99.
