Jonny Clayton makes spectacular start to the season at the Winmau World Masters

Jonny Clayton produced a stunning display to kick-start the new season at the Winmau World Masters on Friday, as Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen also blitzed through.

Day Two of the revamped major saw the remaining eight first round ties take place in Milton Keynes, as Clayton registered his highest televised average to see off Martin Schindler.

The Welshman averaged 112.77 to deny the German number one with an astonishing display, landing five 180s and converting 66 per cent of his attempts at doubles.

Clayton registered winning legs of 11, 16, 12, 10, 12 and 17 darts to cap off a majestic display, converting a brace of 121 finishes to defy a 105 average from Schindler.

“Everything clicked tonight,” reflected the 2021 PDC Masters champion.

“I had to produce my best against a player like Martin, and thankfully I did, so I’ve got a big smile on my face!

“I want to get back to my best, and I’m going to push hard. Hopefully I can repeat that performance tomorrow.”

Reigning World Champion Littler also impressed on a high-quality night of action, breezing past Belgium’s Andy Baetens in under 11 minutes of play to make a winning start in Milton Keynes.

Littler and Baetens exchanged holds in the opening set before the teenage sensation took control, reeling off five consecutive legs to triumph with a 104 average.

“I knew there would be a great pace to the game,” reflected Littler, who will now take on James Wade for a place in the quarter-finals.

“My finishing was very good tonight and it needed to be, because Andy is a dangerous player.

“I would love to win another major title, and obviously this would be a new major to add to the list, but it’s a very strong field, so I’m just going to focus on tomorrow night.”

A new-look Van Gerwen ran out a 3-1 winner over former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks, winning seven out of nine legs to cap off a dominant display whilst sporting a unique black commemorative shirt.

“I felt really comfortable tonight,” declared Van Gerwen, who won the Masters on five consecutive occasions between 2015 and 2019.

“I played some really good darts in patches. I had a couple of 11, 12 and 13-darters, but at some points I still made it incredibly hard for myself.

“I could have easily averaged over 100, but you have to live with it and move on, and I have to make sure I’m even sharper in the next round.”

Van Gerwen’s reward is a Last 16 showdown with Dimitri Van den Bergh – who reeled off six consecutive legs to account for two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.

Anderson claimed the opening set in convincing style, only for Van den Bergh to respond with a quartet of 14-darters, followed by legs of 15 and 13 darts to complete the job.

Nathan Aspinall also won through a high-quality affair against Andrew Gilding, averaging 103 and landing six of his eight attempts at double to prevail in a battle of the former UK Open champions.

The Stockport star kicked off the contest with a sublime 161 finish, and he maintained that cutting edge on the outer ring to set up a second round clash with Cameron Menzies.

“Everyone knows that I’m a good player, but I’ve been lacking so much confidence,” admitted Aspinall.

“The whole package was there tonight, and I have walked off stage probably the happiest and most confident I’ve been in three years!”

Menzies booked his place in round two at the expense of sixth seed Dave Chisnall, pinning six of his 12 attempts at double to complete a 3-1 victory.

Ryan Searle defeated 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey by the same scoreline to set up a showdown against Clayton, after the Bedlington star missed a dart at tops to force a deciding set.

Ten-time major winner Wade won through a gripping five-set battle against World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker in Friday’s curtain-raiser, wrapping up proceedings with a clean sweep in set five.

Winmau World Masters 2025 Day Two Results

Friday January 31

First Round

James Wade 3-2 Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall 1-3 Cameron Menzies
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Martin Schindler
Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Andrew Gilding
Chris Dobey 3-1 Ryan Searle
Luke Littler 3-0 Andy Baetens
Michael van Gerwen 3-1 Bradley Brooks
Gary Anderson 1-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh