Opening Weekend - A Legacy Stage Sets Its Early Standard
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship opened with the precision and intensity befitting the sport’s premier stage. Across the first weekend, established contenders and emerging talents delivered controlled, high-impact performances, setting early benchmarks in scoring, finishing and composure. Nitin Kumar’s historic breakthrough, debutant Andreas Harrysson’s major upset, and a commanding 3–0 win for Joe Cullen have already reshaped the tournament’s early narrative.
Here's your Winmau performance report from Alexandra Palace.
Thursday 11 December
The tournament opened with authoritative displays as several seeds and debutants advanced with conviction.
Luke Littler began his title defence with a clinical 3–0 win over Darius Labanauskas, maintaining control through consistent scoring and pressure finishing.
Michael Smith responded to last year’s disappointment with a measured 3–0 victory over Lisa Ashton, while debutant Arno Merk marked his first World Championship appearance with an assured 3–1 win against Kim Huybrechts.
Madars Razma completed the session by holding firm in key moments to move past Jamai van den Herik.
Key Session Metrics
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180s: 23
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Highest Outshot: 130 – Darius Labanauskas
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Highest Average: 101.54 – Luke Littler
Friday 12 December
Day Two delivered high scoring, a major upset, and several commanding progressions.
Gian van Veen impressed with a powerful 3–1 win over Cristo Reyes, recording six maximums and displaying sharp control throughout.
Rob Cross produced one of the finishes of the tournament so far with a clinical 170 as he swept aside Cor Dekker 3–0.
Debutant Andreas Harrysson produced the standout result of the day, eliminating 12th seed Ross Smith in a deciding set after surviving six match darts.
Ricky Evans, Damon Heta, Ryan Searle, and Niels Zonneveld each advanced with professional, disciplined performances, while Ian White edged Mervyn King in a hard-fought five-set contest.
Afternoon Metrics
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180s: 24
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Highest Outshot: 170 – Rob Cross
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Highest Average: 93.29 – Ryan Searle
Evening Metrics
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180s: 30
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Highest Outshot: 167 – Cristo Reyes
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Highest Average: 98.91 – Gian van Veen
Saturday 13 December
Day Three showcased the full spectrum of championship pedigree: elite scoring, historic achievement, and decisive breakthroughs.
Luke Humphries opened his campaign with authority, defeating Ted Evetts 3–1 and producing eight maximums alongside sustained scoring pressure.
At 71, Paul Lim made history as the oldest player to win on the Ally Pally stage, overcoming Jeffrey de Graaf 3–1 with trademark composure.
Gary Anderson delivered a resilient comeback to defeat Adam Hunt in five sets, while Wessel Nijman produced a textbook 3–0 win over Karel Sedlacek.
Further strong progress came from Gabriel Clemens, Luke Woodhouse, David Davies, and Andrew Gilding, who all advanced through disciplined, high-control performances.
Afternoon Metrics
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180s: 25
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Highest Outshot: 161 – Andrew Gilding
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Highest Average: 97.89 – Andrew Gilding
Evening Metrics
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180s: 33
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Highest Outshot: 170 – Gabriel Clemens
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Highest Average: 100.91 – Wessel Nijman
Sunday 14 December
The final day of the opening weekend delivered pressure moments and emerging storylines.
Stephen Bunting survived a major challenge from Sebastian Bialecki, regaining control in a deciding set to reach round two.
Nitin Kumar made history as the first Indian player to win on the World Championship stage, edging Richard Veenstra in a dramatic five-set contest.
Joe Cullen produced a polished straight-sets victory, while debutants Darren Beveridge, Dom Taylor, and Jonny Tata capitalised on their opportunities with Beveridge delivering a significant upset over former semi-finalist Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Afternoon Metrics
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180s: 23
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Highest Outshot: 144 – Richard Veenstra
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Highest Average: 99.33 – Joe Cullen
Evening Metrics
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180s: 26
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Highest Outshot: 160 – Stephen Bunting
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Highest Average: 96.39 – Stephen Bunting
Opening Weekend Summary
The first four days at Alexandra Palace reinforced why the World Championship remains the sport’s ultimate examination of skill and temperament.
High averages, clinical finishing and decisive breakthroughs have set a demanding early standard and with more seeds entering the competition, the intensity is only set to rise.
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