Where Performance, Composure and Experience Converged

Days Fourteen and Fifteen at Alexandra Palace marked a decisive phase in the World Championship. Jonny Clayton once again demonstrated composure on the sport’s biggest stage, Andreas Harrysson continued a highly accomplished debut campaign, and Luke Littler delivered a performance that reinforced the standards required at the latter stages of this tournament. From established champions to emerging contenders, the competitive landscape tightened with every session.

DAY FOURTEEN - ROUND THREE RETURNS WITH AUTHORITY

The resumption of round three following the Christmas break brought immediate consequences. Performances were decisive, margins were exposed and progression was earned rather than assumed.

Luke Littler delivered one of the most complete displays of the championship, averaging 107+, converting 71% of his doubles, and winning 12 of 15 legs without conceding a set. It represented his highest average at Alexandra Palace and the second-highest of the tournament to date.

Elsewhere, James Hurrell averaged 98+ across seven sets to eliminate the fourth seed, while Jonny Clayton and Niels Zonneveld both posted 98+ averages in a contest defined by sustained quality.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Momentum Shifts, Composure & High-Stakes Recovery

Krzysztof Ratajski 4–3 Wesley Plaisier
(0–3, 3–0, 1–3, 2–3, 3–2, 3–2, 3–1)
Ratajski showed resilience under pressure, recovering from a 3–1 deficit and three missed match darts. Four ton-plus finishes, including a decisive 152 checkout, proved pivotal in one of the day’s most demanding encounters.

Luke Woodhouse 4–1 Andrew Gilding
(3–1, 1–3, 3–0, 3–0, 3–2)
After a measured start, Woodhouse raised his level significantly. Averaging over 103 across the final three sets, he progressed to the last 16 for a second consecutive year.

Jonny Clayton 4–3 Niels Zonneveld
(3–2, 1–3, 3–0, 0–3, 3–2, 1–3, 3–0)
A high-quality contest throughout. Both players averaged above 98 before Clayton applied control in the deciding set to advance for the fifth successive year.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 34
• Highest checkout: 152 (Ratajski, Gilding)

• Highest three-dart average: 99.36 (Zonneveld)

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EVENING SESSION

Breakthroughs, Defining Results & Execution Under Pressure

Andreas Harrysson 4–2 Ricardo Pietreczko
(3–2, 2–3, 3–0, 1–3, 3–0, 3–1)
Harrysson maintained control throughout, never trailing and closing the match strongly by taking six of the final seven legs to reach the last 16. Extending an outstanding debut campaign.

James Hurrell 4–3 Stephen Bunting
(3–1, 2–3, 2–3, 3–0, 3–1, 2–3, 3–1)
Hurrell produced one of the standout performances of the weekend. Averaging over 98, he eliminated the fourth seed through sustained scoring and consistent execution at key moments.

Luke Littler 4–0 Mensur Suljovic
(3–0, 3–0, 3–2, 3–1)
A benchmark performance. Littler combined scoring power with exceptional doubling efficiency to secure a straight-sets victory and underline his credentials decisively.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 34
• Highest checkout: 161 (Bunting)
• Highest three-dart average: 107.09 (Littler)

HUMPHRIES HOLDS FIRM AS MVG AND ANDERSON MOVE TOWARDS A DEFINING CLASH

Day Fifteen continued round three with authority and consequence, as power scoring, composure under pressure and elite-level execution brought increasing clarity to the draw. With James Maddison and Brennan Johnson among those in attendance, the occasion matched the standard on the oche. Gary Anderson produced 14 maximums in a demanding five-set contest, Ryan Searle posted a 102.29 average, Luke Humphries absorbed a sustained challenge, and Michael van Gerwen advanced with measured control to confirm a marquee round-four meeting.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Experience Tested, Margins Exposed

Ryan Searle 4–0 Martin Schindler
(3–1, 3–1, 3–0, 3–0)
Searle delivered one of the cleanest performances of the tournament, averaging 102.29 and winning nine legs without reply to close the match.

Rob Cross 4–0 Damon Heta
(3–1, 3–2, 3–2, 3–1)
Cross remained composed throughout, navigating early pressure before asserting control to book a round-four meeting with Littler.

Gary Anderson 4–3 Jermaine Wattimena
(3–1, 0–3, 3–1, 3–2, 2–3, 2–3, 5–3)
A demanding encounter that required resolution in a tie-break. Anderson’s scoring power — highlighted by 14 maximums — proved decisive.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 42
• Highest checkout: 151 (Searle)
• Highest three-dart average: 102.29 (Searle)

EVENING SESSION

Pressure, Recovery & Championship Poise

Gian van Veen 4–1 Madars Razma
(3–1, 3–1, 3–0, 0–3, 3–0)
Van Veen continued his progress with authority, closing the contest with a composed 125 checkout.

Luke Humphries 4–2 Gabriel Clemens
(3–1, 3–1, 3–2, 0–3, 2–3, 3–2)
Humphries was tested by a sustained response from Clemens, including a 100+ average, before producing decisive finishes to secure progression.

Michael van Gerwen 4–1 Arno Merk
(3–1, 3–0, 1–3, 3–1, 3–1)
Van Gerwen advanced with control, winning six of the final eight legs to set up a high-profile round-four encounter.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 36
• Highest checkout: 170 (Humphries)
• Highest three-dart average: 101.49 (Clemens)

LOOKING AHEAD

The championship now enters a defining phase as round four begins at Alexandra Palace. The field has narrowed, the standard has risen, and each session carries increased consequence. With momentum established and margins tightening, execution under pressure will determine who continues to shape the tournament narrative.

Monday December 29
Afternoon Session (12:30 GMT)

• Justin Hood v Ryan Meikle
• Ricky Evans v Charlie Manby
• Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets

Evening Session (19:00 GMT)

• Josh Rock v Callan Rydz
• James Hurrell v Ryan Searle
• Luke Littler v Rob Cross

Best of Seven Sets

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