Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen safely secure Last 16 spots at the World Darts Championship
Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen comfortably advanced to the Last 16 of the World Darts Championship on Saturday, as Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey also prevailed.
Littler and Van Gerwen were the headline attractions in a star-studded double-session at Alexandra Palace, as a further six Third Round ties took place.
Littler landed a dozen 180s and averaged almost 97.8 to defeat a resilient Ian White 4-1, overcoming a sluggish start on the doubles to continue his progress.
“I know I can do a lot better, but in set-play, it’s all about winning,” insisted Littler.
“I was happy with my performance scoring-wise. My doubles need to be a bit better, but as soon as I won that first set tonight, I felt settled.
“I’m expecting the same old Ryan – hitting his doubles first or second time, but I just need to take the opportunities when I can.”
Van Gerwen continued his quest for a third world title with a battling 4-2 win over Brendan Dolan, defying a late fightback from the Northern Irish veteran.
Dolan drew first blood in a competitive opening set, although Van Gerwen responded with a superb run of eight straight legs – including 129 and 149 checkouts – to establish a 3-1 lead.
Dolan claimed a scrappy fifth set to reduce the deficit, only for the Dutchman to regain his poise in the closing stages to move through to a meeting against either Paolo Nebrida or Jeffrey de Graaf.
“I definitely had to battle. It wasn’t an easy game at all,” reflected Van Gerwen, who averaged 97 and fired in ten 180s en route to victory.
“I feel good. Of course there is still a lot of work to do, but I believe in my own ability 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 this, I think I can be in a really good spot.”
Earlier in the day, former World Championship quarter-finalist Ryan Joyce won through a seven-set epic against Ryan Searle to maintain his impressive recent run in televised ranking events.
Searle recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 down to force a decider, although the Somerset star was denied by a relentless Joyce, who followed up a 113 finish with a 13-darter to triumph in a thrilling finale.
“I always talk up my finishing so it’s pleasing to show it on the big stage,” reflected Joyce, who pinned 62 per cent of his attempts at doubles to defy a 101 average from Searle.
“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 any chance of winning, but he will need to play well to beat me too!”
Nathan Aspinall maintained his title challenge with a 4-0 whitewash of Andrew Gilding, converting 60 per cent of his attempts at doubles to advance to the Last 16 at Ally Pally for the first time in five years.
The Stockport star followed up his opening victory over Leonard Gates with a clinical display on the outer ring, as he eased past Gilding in a battle of the former UK Open champions.
Aspinall’s reward will be a showdown with Ricardo Pietreczko, who preserved German hopes 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 Ally Pally, landing 129 and 121 finishes while also producing a fourth-set average of 118.
Meanwhile, Dobey produced a brilliant double-double finish to see off Northern Irish number one Josh Rock, reeling off three consecutive sets to close out a 4-2 success.
The pair landed nine 180s apiece in a high-octane affair, although Dobey underlined his credentials in the latter stages, winning nine of the last 12 legs to prevail with a 97 average.
World Darts Championship 2024/25 Day 11 Results
Saturday December 28
Third Round
Afternoon Session
Ryan Joyce 4-3 Ryan Searle
Scott Williams 1-4 Ricardo Pietreczko
Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Andrew Gilding
Evening Session
Chris Dobey 4-2 Josh Rock
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Brendan Dolan
Luke Littler 4-1 Ian White
