Niels Zonneveld ousts Michael Smith at the World Darts Championship as Gilding dispatches Dobey

Niels Zonneveld knocked out former champion Michael Smith to book his place in the Last 32 of the World Darts Championship for the first time, as Andrew Gilding defeated Chris Dobey.

Saturday’s double session saw the second round action commence at Alexandra Palace, with 2023 World Champion Smith and world number eight Dobey among four seeds to crash out.

Smith becomes the second former World Champion to exit this year’s £1m showpiece, after succumbing to a clinical display from Dutch star Zonneveld.

There was nothing to separate the pair following two high-quality sets, but Smith paid the price for missing a set dart at tops in a crucial third set.

Zonneveld maintained his composure to move 2-1 in front, before backing up 70 and 74 finishes with a 12-dart hold to seal a landmark victory.

“I can’t describe how much this means to me,” said Zonneveld, who will now take on world number five Jonny Clayton in Round Three.

“This is a big step towards the top 32 [in the world] for me, so I’m over the moon.

“I think this is the biggest victory of my life. I needed this, and today I got it, so I’m really happy.

“Jonny is a world-class player so I will have to be at my best, but for now I’m going to enjoy Christmas with my family.”

Dobey became the highest-ranked player to bow out of this year’s World Championship so far after Gilding produced his highest average on the Ally Pally stage to seal an impressive 3-1 victory.

Despite dropping the first set, the former UK Open champion landed a magnificent ten-darter to clinch a crucial third set, before defying a monstrous 167 checkout from Dobey early in the fourth to celebrate a memorable victory.

“I’m a little bit surprised by that,” admitted Gilding, who is aiming to advance beyond the Last 32 at Ally Pally for the first time in his career.

“Chris is a top eight player in the world, so I’m more than happy with that performance.

“I am feeling confident, but there’s going to be a lot of turkey in my stomach after Christmas, so you never know what’s going to happen!”

There was no such trouble for fourth seed Stephen Bunting, who breezed through to round three with an emphatic straight-sets victory over Indian trailblazer Nitin Kumar.

Kumar was unable to emulate the performance that saw him stun Richard Veenstra in his opening tie, and Bunting capitalised by capping off a professional display with a 53 per cent checkout success rate.

“I felt really comfortable tonight,” insisted Bunting, who fired in 118 and 107 checkouts during a dominant opening set.

“I know how well Nitin can play. I’ve played him a few times before, and what a fantastic ambassador for our sport.

“He’s only going to go from strength to strength, but I’m so happy with the win, and I can enjoy my Christmas now!”

James Hurrell will lock horns with Bunting for a place in the Last 16 following his dramatic deciding-set victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Hurrell overcame a subdued start to stun the Dutchman, crashing in a staggering ten 180s and producing a sublime 132 checkout to break new ground on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Ryan Searle was one of Saturday’s stand-out performers, averaging 98 and pinning 64 per cent of his attempts at doubles in his straight-sets demolition of Brendan Dolan.

The 38-year-old looked poised to post the highest average of the tournament at one stage, before withstanding a brief rally from Dolan early in set three to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

German number two Ricardo Pietreczko and debutant Andreas Harrysson will also go head-to-head after coming through contrasting encounters on Saturday afternoon.

Pietreczko survived a valiant onslaught from Dave Chisnall to prevail in a five-set epic, defying 11 maximums from the St Helens star to reach the last 32 for a third consecutive year.

The 31-year-old led 2-0 at one stage, but having survived a match dart midway through set five, Pietreczko rattled off the next three legs without reply to preserve his title aspirations.

Harrysson, meanwhile, dispatched crowd favourite Motomu Sakai in straight sets to continue his terrific debut campaign.

The Swede produced a magnificent 141 finish during a hard-fought opening set, and he punished missed opportunities from the enigmatic Sakai to seal his place in the post-Christmas action.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day Ten Results

Saturday December 20

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle 3-0 Brendan Dolan
Andreas Harrysson 3-0 Motomu Sakai
Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-3 James Hurrell
Dave Chisnall 2-3 Ricardo Pietreczko

Evening Session
Michael Smith 1-3 Niels Zonneveld
Chris Dobey 1-3 Andrew Gilding
Stephen Bunting 3-0 Nitin Kumar
Jonny Clayton w/o v Dom Taylor – Taylor withdrawn from the event