Composure and Control Define the Final Eight

Day Seventeen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship brought 2025 to a close with clarity and consequence. The final round-four fixtures delivered precision under pressure, disciplined execution and a decisive shift in the title landscape, as the quarter-final line-up was confirmed on a night that allowed no margin for error.

Gary Anderson’s victory over Michael van Gerwen proved the defining result, ensuring there would be no easing into the new year as the championship enters its decisive phase.

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AFTERNOON SESSION

Composure, Control & Progression

Justin Hood 4–0 Josh Rock

(3–2, 3–2, 3–1, 3–1)

Justin Hood produced a benchmark performance to open proceedings. The debutant delivered exceptional finishing efficiency, converting his first 11 darts at double and maintaining control throughout.
An average of 101.18 underlined a disciplined, assured display as Hood secured his place in the quarter-finals with authority.

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Krzysztof Ratajski 4–2 Luke Woodhouse

(3–1, 1–3, 3–1, 1–3, 3–1, 3–1)

Ratajski advanced through sustained composure in a contest defined by narrow margins. Woodhouse threatened history after narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-darter, but the Polish number one absorbed the moment and closed the match efficiently to reach his second World Championship quarter-final.
A meeting with reigning champion Luke Littler now awaits.

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Jonny Clayton 4–2 Andreas Harrysson

(3–2, 1–3, 2–3, 3–2, 3–2, 3–2)

Clayton navigated a demanding six-set encounter against debutant Andreas Harrysson. Despite sustained pressure and multiple ton-plus finishes from the Swede, Clayton’s control in the closing stages proved decisive.
The Welshman advances to a quarter-final clash with Ryan Searle.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 36

• Highest checkout: 160 (Jonny Clayton)

• Highest average: 101.18 (Justin Hood)

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EVENING SESSION

Experience, Execution & Championship Authority

Gian van Veen 4–1 Charlie Manby

(3–2, 1–3, 3–1, 3–0, 3–2)

Gian van Veen continued his measured progress with a controlled performance. After an even start, the European Champion increased tempo and precision, using key bullseye finishes of 132 and 88 to take command.
He advances to a fourth televised quarter-final of the year, where Luke Humphries awaits.

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Gary Anderson 4–1 Michael van Gerwen

(3–2, 3–2, 1–3, 3–1, 3–1)

A defining contest. Anderson delivered a performance built on timing, resilience and sustained scoring to bring Michael van Gerwen’s campaign to a close — his earliest World Championship exit in a decade.
Winning the opening two sets in deciding legs, Anderson absorbed a high-level response before asserting control, finishing with 11 maximums and a 99 average in a performance of measured authority.

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Luke Humphries 4–1 Kevin Doets

(1–3, 3–1, 3–1, 3–0, 3–0)

Humphries closed the evening with control and clarity. After conceding the opening set, the world number two raised his level, averaging 103 and winning 12 of the final 14 legs to progress decisively.
A rematch with Gian van Veen — his European Championship final opponent — now follows.

Key Session Insights

• 180s: 46

• Highest checkout: 132 (Gian van Veen)

• Highest average: 103.07 (Luke Humphries)

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QUARTER-FINALS CONFIRMED

The final eight are set.

Thursday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)

• Ryan Searle v Jonny Clayton

• Gary Anderson v Justin Hood

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

• Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski

• Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen

Best of Nine Sets

At this stage, there is no safety net and no room to recover.
With the bracket confirmed and standards rising, players and supporters alike turn toward the defining phase of the championship. Follow every result and development as the Paddy Power World Darts Championship moves closer to crowning the 2026 PDC World Champion.

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