Andreas Harrysson stuns Ross Smith at the World Darts Championship as Van Veen and Cross progress

Andreas Harrysson pulled off a dream debut win over Ross Smith at the World Darts Championship on Friday as Gian van Veen and Rob Cross safely progressed.

Swedish veteran Harrysson produced the first major shock of this year’s tournament by dumping out 12th seed Smith in a deciding set.

Harrysson, who twice trailed by a set, survived six match darts from Smith in the fourth set before forcing a decider.

Harrysson then missed four match darts of his own before snatching the final set to win his first ever match on the Alexandra Palace stage.

“I feel fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” said Harrysson, who will face either Thibault Tricole or Motomu Sakai in round two.

“There was a lot of pressure; in the first set I looked at the crowd and thought wow, what a crowd!

“Ross Smith’s a great player. I know what I can do, and hopefully I can continue to win.”

European Champion Van Veen won at Alexandra Palace for the first time in his career, crashing in six maximums en route to a 3-1 victory over the returning Cristo Reyes.

The Dutchman raced to the opening set before registering legs of 13, 14 and 15 darts to storm the second and double his advantage.

Despite a valiant fightback from Reyes which included a majestic 167 checkout, Van Veen held his nerve, closing out with a 14-darter to win on his third appearance at the tournament.

“It’s difficult to put this win into words,” said Van Veen. “My first win on this stage, it’s phenomenal.

“In the ten minutes before the game started, I was really nervous, I told myself I had to get over the line today.

“I’ve been there two years ago when I went 2-0 up and lost 3-2, but luckily this time I got it done.

“I dealt with the pressure well which gives me even more confidence going into round two.”

Former World Champion Cross lit up the Ally Pally stage with a straight sets rout of debutant Dekker, landing a sensational 170 checkout in the final leg to advance to round two.

Cross averaged 98 to sweep the opening set in straight legs, and despite being forced to a deciding leg for the second set, ‘Voltage’ reeled off four legs on the spin to secure the whitewash triumph.

“It’s nice to get through and get myself in this tournament,” admitted Cross, who lost his opening match to Scott Williams at last year’s World Championship.

“This is the pinnacle of the game, the World Championship. This tournament changed my life all those years ago.

“The 170 at the end… I thought to myself, ‘I’m hitting this’.

“I’ve made some very happy memories here and I’d like to make some more.”

Ricky Evans raced a whitewash win over Man Lok Leung, priducing a spectacular 134 checkout in trademark rapid fashion en route to taking the first set.

Despite five 180s and moments of power scoring from Leung, Evans held on to win the next two sets, securing his seventh consecutive opening round win at Alexandra Palace.

Australian ace Damon Heta also safely secured his progress courtesy of a 3-1 triumph over Steve Lennon.

Heta produced an impressive 58 per cent success rate on the doubles as he recovering from missing three match darts in the third set to win the final set in consecutive legs and resign the Irishman to losing his Tour Card.

Meanwhile, Ryan Searle won his opening match at Alexandra Palace for the eighth consecutive year, breezing past Chris Landman 3-0 and hitting an impressive 47 per cent of attempts on the outer ring in the process.

Dutchman Niels Zonneveld produced his second-ever win at the World Championship with a three-set victory over New Zealand’s Haupai Puha, averaging a whopping 115 in the final set.

Ian White defeated fellow darting stalwart Mervyn King in his 14th appearance at the tournament, reeling off six consecutive legs to storm into a 2-0 lead before fending off a late comeback to secure a 3-2 win in a marathon battle.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day Two Results

Friday December 12

First Round

Afternoon Session
Niels Zonneveld 3-0 Haupai Puha
Ian White 3-2 Mervyn King
Ryan Searle 3-0 Chris Landman
Rob Cross 3-0 Cor Dekker

Evening Session
Ross Smith 2-3 Andreas Harrysson
Ricky Evans 3-0 Man Lok Leung
Gian van Veen 3-1 Cristo Reyes
Damon Heta 3-1 Steve Lennon