Daryl Gurney battles past beau Greaves at the World Darts Championship as Aspinall and Rock reach Round Two

Daryl Gurney denied Beau Greaves in a last-set decider as the opening round of the World Darts Championship drew to a close on Friday.

Day Nine at Alexandra Palace saw the final eight matches of Round One take place as Gurney held his nerve to edge out Greaves in a gripping contest.

Greaves ended the match with 11 legs to Gurney’s ten, but it was the Northern Ireland who prevailed in the key moments to avert an early exit.

Gurney took the first set before three-time Women’s World Champion Greaves fired in a terrific 128 checkout on the bull, followed by the tournament’s first ten-darter, to level at one apiece.

However, with the game poised at 2-2, Gurney landed a crucial 144 checkout to break throw, before holding in the next leg to close out a hard-fought victory.

“I look at her as a great dart player – she is one of the best players on the planet,” said Gurney, who will face Callan Rydz in round two.

“I’m very glad that the 144 went in. If that didn’t go, I would have been 2-1 down and throwing against the tide.

“Callan is one of the best dart players as the world. He is going to be really difficult, it will be a struggle.”

Nathan Aspinall began his World Championship campaign by recovering from a set down to defeat Lourence Ilagan 3-1.

The Stockport star initially trailed after Ilagan took the opening set, but battled back in trademark fashion to level the contest.

Aspinall, a former UK Open winner and World Matchplay champion, then won two set-deciding legs – including a sensational match-winning 170 checkout – to cap off a battling victory.

“I really felt the pressure – I was shaking the whole way through,” admitted Aspinall.

“I put myself under so much pressure tonight but I got the win, and that’s the most important thing.

“Full credit to Lourence there, he played a fantastic game and put me under pressure. Maybe I needed that challenge to realise why I’m doing this.

“My game is at the best place it’s ever been, I’ve never played better. I know I’ll beat Leonard – he’s a great player, but I won’t feel that nervous again.”

Josh Rock began his world title bid with a 3-1 victory despite a spirited performance from debutant Gemma Hayter.

The Northern Irish World Cup winner took a 2-0 lead but dropped the third set to Women’s Series star Hayter, before closing out the fourth stanza in a set-deciding leg.

“It was a nerve-racking first set,” admitted Rock.

“The first game is always the hardest game. I’m not happy with the performance – personally, I underestimated Gemma.

“When it comes to round two against Joe Comito, I will not perform like that, I assure you. I’m not here to make up the numbers, I’m here to win the trophy.”

William O’Connor registered the highest average of the tournament so far with a 102.36 in his straight sets demolition of Krzysztof Kciuk.

The Irishman produced a majestic 167 checkout in the opening leg of the contest and restricted his opponent to just four attempts at doubles throughout the match, landing seven 180s as he set up a tantalising clash with Michael van Gerwen in Round Two.

Keane Barry made it a double success for Ireland as he swept past Australian debutant Tim Pusey in straight sets, averaging 93 and landing 53 per cent of his attempts at doubles.

Kevin Doets advanced to the second round for the third consecutive year thanks to a 3-1 victory over Matthew Dennant, and he will now face Kenyan trailblazer David Munyua.

The Dutchman, who made the Last 16 at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, conceded the first set but rallied to reel off the next three and complete a comeback win.

American ace Gates also made it three opening round wins out of three on the Ally Pally stage as he completed a gruelling 3-2 victory over Mickey Mansell.

The match was dominated by missed doubles, but it was multiple World Seniors event winner Gates who eventually held his nerve in the deciding set to dump out the former Grand Slam semi-finalist.

Ryan Meikle proved too strong for Jesus Salate, inflicting a dominant straight sets defeat on the Argentinian debutant.

The Suffolk star won six consecutive legs to take the opening two sets, converting 53 per cent of his double attempts to set a round two tie with Jonny Tata.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day Nine Results

Friday December 19

Afternoon Session
Kevin Doets 3-1 Matthew Dennant
Ryan Meikle 3-0 Jesus Salate
Mickey Mansell 2-3 Leonard Gates
Josh Rock 3-1 Gemma Hayter

Evening Session
William O’Connor 3-0 Krzysztof Kciuk
Daryl Gurney 3-2 Beau Greaves
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Lourence Ilagan
Keane Barry 3-0 Tim Pusey