Wesley Plaisier stuns Gerwyn Price at the World Darts Championship as Littler coasts into Round Three

Wesley Plaisier pulled off a remarkable straight sets scalp of Gerwyn Price in the second round of the World Darts Championship on Sunday.

2021 World Champion Price became the highest-profile casualty of the tournament so far as he crashed out at the hands of world number 92 Plaisier at Alexandra Palace.

Plaisier took the opening set with the aid of a 130 checkout on the bull, before securing the second by three legs to one to double his advantage.

The Dutchman, who has never gone beyond the second round of the World Championship, then survived two set darts from Price in the deciding leg of the third, before pinning double ten to produce one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far.

“This is by far my biggest win ever,” insisted Plaisier, a two-time WDF World Masters champion.

“I couldn’t imagine beating him, especially not 3-0. I was hoping I could give him a good match and take one or two sets.

“I had a lot of nerves throwing for the match, I was shaking. In the end, he missed two darts and I was able to take it.

“The best wins are when you don’t expect them. I’m over the moon, that’s the only thing I can say.”

Defending champion Luke Littler ensured he did not suffer the same fate as Price in the top quarter of the draw as he survived an early scare to defeat Welsh debutant David Davies in straight sets.

The world number one began in uncharacteristically slow fashion, averaging under 90 in the opening set and surviving five set darts from his opponent before finishing 82 to take the lead.

However, Littler turned on the style with a 145 checkout and eventually boosted his average to over 97 in taking the next two sets to safely progress to the post-Christmas action.

“It’s always a good feeling to win and to win 3-0 is that much sweeter,” said Littler, who will face Mensur Suljovic in the Last 32.

“I saw him walk off and thought he was out of his stride – I had to punish him and get that first set won.

“I watched all of the Gezzy game, he didn’t play well and Wesley did. I could have met him in the quarter-finals, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.

“I’ve always watched darts and Mensur has been on tour for quite some years – he messaged me before the tournament and said see you in round three!”

Austrian stalwart Suljovic pulled off a dramatic 3-1 victory over Joe Cullen – who was left furious with his opponent’s antics on stage.

Cullen made a terrific start to the contest, landing a 170 checkout on his way to sealing the first set, before Suljovic took out 100 on two double tops to clinch set two and draw level.

The match hinged on the third set as Cullen missed three darts to win it 3-0 and Suljovic turned the tables to snatch it in a decider and move in front.

Cullen dug deep to force a deciding leg in set four but was left to rue two missed darts at doubles as Suljovic returned for double ten to seal a memorable win, leaving his opponent visibly unhappy on stage and later accusing the Austrian of “cheating” on social media.

Meanwhile, 2018 World Champion Rob Cross secured his spot in round three courtesy of a 3-1 triumph over Stoke veteran Ian White.

White fired in a sensational 167 checkout in set one before levelling the contest at one set apiece, but Cross prevailed after taking out 92 in the deciding leg of set four to claim victory.

“I didn’t play the way I wanted to but I’m very grateful to be sitting here with the job done,” admitted Cross, who faces Damon Heta in round three.

“The World Championship is pinnacle of the game, you need to get up for it.

“I’ve made a living from hitting clutch checkouts, I can be one of the best finishers in the game under pressure.

“It’s nice to win and not be at your best, because if I play my best, I don’t think I worry about anyone.”

Aussie number one twice came from a set behind to deny Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont 3-2.

Heta lost the opening set with an average shy of 74 but rallied back, hitting 55% of his doubles to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to see out the win.

Martin Schindler produced a clinical performance to see off Keane Barry in straight sets and set up a third round clash with Ryan Searle.

Despite every set going to a deciding-leg and Barry sat on a finish on all three occasions, the German number one took out finishes of 20, 118 and 76 in the deciders to complete an impressive win.

Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Ryan Joyce 3-1 to reach round three for an impressive sixth time in nine appearances at the World Championship.

The Polish number one soared into a 2-0 lead with a near-ton average, and despite Joyce claiming a consolation set, closed the game out with a 13-darter.

In-form Luke Woodhouse cruised through to the Last 32 with a comfortable straight sets win over Germany’s Max Hopp.

Woodhouse won the first six legs on the spin to take a firm grip of the match and conceded just a sole leg in the final set, confirming a clash against Andrew Gilding in the next round.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day 11 Results

Sunday December 21

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Ryan Joyce 1-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen 1-3 Mensur Suljovic
Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Max Hopp
Rob Cross 3-1 Ian White

Evening Session
Martin Schindler 3-0 Keane Barry
Gerwyn Price 0-3 Wesley Plaisier
Luke Littler 3-0 David Davies
Damon Heta 3-2 Stefan Bellmont