James Hurrell stuns Stephen Bunting at the World Darts Championship as Littler whitewashes Suljovic

James Hurrell sent Stephen Bunting packing in the Third Round of the World Darts Championship on Saturday, while Luke Littler swept aside Mensur Suljovic.

The sport’s showpiece event resumed at Alexandra Palace following the three-day Christmas break, with Bunting becoming the highest-ranked casualty of the tournament so far.

World number 63 Hurrell pulled off the biggest win of his career to date as he held firm in a deciding set to see off the fourth seed and move into the Last 16.

Hurrell took the first set 3-1 before Bunting bounced back to snatch the second from 2-0 down courtesy of a magnificent 161 checkout in the deciding leg.

Another mammoth outshot from last year’s semi-finalist secured the third set as finished 121 to go in front, but only for Hurrell to reel off six of the next seven legs to turn the match on its head once again at 3-2.

Bunting delivered another skin-saving checkout as he took out 100 to seal the sixth set, but Hurrell gained a crucial break of throw in the decider before serving out a memorable victory with a 98 average.

“I feel amazing, it’s the biggest win of my career,” said Hurrell.

“I knew where my game was coming into this, I just needed to sort my doubles out. I’m not going anywhere.

“I’ve just beaten the number four in the world. I’m not bothered who I face next.”

Littler, meanwhile, registered his highest average on the Ally Pally stage to date (107.09) in a four-set annihilation of Suljovic.

The defending champion is still yet to drop a set in this year’s competition after landing nine 180s and 70 per cent on the doubles in a clinical win over the Austrian veteran.

The world number one dropped just three legs en route to victory, firing in four ton-plus checkouts in the process.

“Tonight felt like a free hit, I had no nerves whatsoever and I let my darts do the talking,” said Littler.

“I was on a 109 average after the first set, so I dropped two points in the end, but 71% on the doubling, I’m very happy with it.

“No matter how you win a game, you want to win it in style. Not losing a set at all is a good thing.

“People can say whoever plays Littler next will lose, but this is darts, anyone can win or lose. I just have to show up for my next game and hopefully put in another performance like that.”

Jonny Clayton emerged victorious in a deciding-set epic against Niels Zonneveld, with both players averaging above 98 in a game of high-quality finishing.

The Welsh number one went ahead on three occasions, with Zonneveld levelling each time, before Clayton won the final set in straight legs to secure his spot in the Last 16 for the fifth consecutive year at Ally Pally.

“I had to do my job and I’ve done it today. I kept the nerves quite calm and I got over the line in the end,” said Clayton, who will face Andreas Harrysson in the Last 16.

“Niels is a great darts player, he’s got a good future in the game.

“My doubles were good, thank God! I’ve struggled with my doubles for a long time, so that was great.

“I’d like to go and lift that trophy, that’s my aim.”

Harrysson’s dream debut run continued with a 4-2 victory over German number two Ricardo Pietreczko, as the Swede averaged a tournament-best of 96.11.

The 50-year-old never trailed during the match, and despite a terrific 158 checkout from his opponent, took six of the final seven legs to earn his spot in the Last 16.

Luke Woodhouse stormed to a 4-1 rout of a below-par Andrew Gilding to book his place in the Last 16 for the second successive year.

Despite a slow start to the game, Woodhouse averaged over 103 in the last three sets to cruise through to a showdown with Krzysztof Ratajski.

Ratajski battled back from 3-1 down to edge out Wesley Plaisier 4-3 in a thrilling contest which saw both players average above 95.

Plaisier missed three match darts in the sixth set, but the Polish number one recovered and landed four ton-plus finishes including a match-winning 116 to advance to the Last 16 for only the second time in his career.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day 14 Results

Saturday December 27

Third Round

Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 4-3 Wesley Plaisier
Luke Woodhouse 4-1 Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton 4-3 Niels Zonneveld

Evening Session
Andreas Harrysson 4-2 Ricardo Pietreczko
Stephen Bunting 3-4 James Hurrell
Luke Littler 4-0 Mensur Suljovic