World Darts Championship 2019/20 Day 11: Afternoon Session preview and order of play

A two-time World Champion and the two most recent World Youth Champions are among a high quality line-up at the World Darts Championship on Monday afternoon as the Third Round action continues.

More big names fell by the wayside at Alexandra Palace on Sunday, with James Wade, Max Hopp and Danny Noppert among the notable names to bow out at the hands of lower-ranked opposition.

Two debutants feature in this afternoon’s session as they look to pull off another upset and continue their dream runs beyond the Christmas break.

Nico Kurz has announced his arrival on the sport’s biggest stage with successive 3-1 scalps of former BDO number one James Wilson and world number 15 Joe Cullen en route to the Last 32.

The 22-year-old German Superleague qualifier, who famously defeated Gary Anderson in this year’s German Masters, is now the last German standing in the competition and is looking to become the first German ever to reach the Last 16 at Ally Pally.

Kurz again starts out as the underdog as he takes on reigning World Youth Champion and 2019 Premier League ‘Contender’ Luke Humphries.

Humphries has returned to the scene of last year’s breakthrough run to the Quarter-Finals in style, defeating Devon Petersen 3-1 and Jermaine Wattimena 3-2 to emerge as a genuine contender in his quarter of the draw.

An 11-time Development Tour winner, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ came through a 96-player field to win the World Youth Championship last month and is already looking up towards a place in the world’s top 32.

Luke Humphries celebrates (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Adrian Lewis, who won this title back-to-back in 2011 and 2012, battled back from two sets down to defeat Spain’s Cristo Reyes in an epic tie break decider on Saturday and now faces another tough test against world number 20 Darren Webster.

Lewis looked to be heading for the Ally Pally exit door but drew upon his vast experience and natural talent to stave off an upset and remain in the running in an event which has defined his career.

The Stoke star has endured a turbulent two years both on and off the oche and is vying to restore his former glories on the sport’s greatest stage.

Lewis has fluctuated in and out of the top 16 in recent seasons but is seeded number 13 here, having reached his first major Quarter-Final for more than two years at last month’s Grand Slam.

Webster banished last year’s disappointing Second Round exit with a commanding display to brush aside Japan’s Yuki Yamada in straight sets and is looking to record only a second win over ‘Jackpot’ in eight attempts.

Webster, twice a World Championship quarter-finalist, enjoyed the best year of his career in 2018 but his progress this season has been hampered by a persistent arm injury, though ‘The Demolition Man’ will be determined to end the year on a high with a strong run at Ally Pally.

The final match of the afternoon sees two-time World Youth Champion Dimitri van den Bergh take on impressive newcomer Luke Woodhouse.

In the wake of Fallon Sherrock’s stunning win over Mensur Suljovic on Saturday night, Van den Bergh followed up by posting the highest average of the tournament so far (103.81) in thrashing Josh Payne 3-0.

Quarter-finalist here two years ago, the Belgian number one is bidding to join his compatriot Kim Huybrechts in the Last 16, and despite being the younger of the two, boasts vastly superior big stage experience over his next opponent.

Woodhouse has enjoyed a dream debut so far in only his fourth televised tournament appearance, defeating Singapore legend Paul Lim in straight sets before dumping out world number four and 2018 world finalist Michael Smith 3-1 in Round Two.

The world number 69 boasts the highest tournament average (96.92) of any player to have started out in the First Round and will be determined to maintain that standard over the extended format.

The action gets underway from 12.30pm GMT, with Third Round matches to be contested over the best of seven sets, best of five legs per set.

A tie-break will be in operation, where the final set must be won by two clear legs. If the score reaches 5-5, the 11th leg will be sudden-death.

BET ON & WATCH THE WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)

William Hill World Championship 2019/20 Match Schedule

Monday December 23

Third Round

Afternoon Session
12.45pm Nico Kurz v Luke Humphries
2.15pm Adrian Lewis v Darren Webster
3.45pm Luke Woodhouse v Dimitri van den Bergh