Sudden Death, Shock Exits and Ally Pally Mayhem

Michael van Gerwen reminded Ally Pally exactly who he is on Day 13, delivering a statement performance under pressure as chaos unfolded across Alexandra Palace. From sudden-death thrillers to vintage class and shock exits, Tuesday’s double-session proved that when the stakes rise, the biggest names still know how to respond with the atmosphere lifted even further as Olly Murs was spotted in the crowd, drawing huge cheers and adding to a night packed with star power and big-stage drama.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Fightbacks, Tie-Breaks & Statement Wins

Ryan Meikle 3–2 Jonny Tata

(1–3, 2–3, 3–2, 3–1, 3–1)
Ryan Meikle showed serious backbone to turn the match on its head. Two sets down and under pressure, Meikle refused to fold, grinding his way back before closing out the decider with authority to seal a hard-earned comeback.

Callan Rydz 3–2 Daryl Gurney

(3–1, 0–3, 1–3, 3–0, 5–3)
Ally Pally pressure? Callan Rydz thrives on it. Trailing 2–1, the Bedlington star exploded back into life, landing two massive 167 checkouts before holding his nerve in a dramatic tie-break to send Daryl Gurney crashing out.

Jermaine Wattimena 3–2 Scott Williams

(3–2, 3–2, 1–3, 0–3, 3–0)
Jermaine Wattimena was dragged into another marathon and found a way through. After Williams forced a deciding set, Wattimena hit back with a ruthless final stanza, sweeping the set without reply to book his round-three spot.

Arno Merk 3–0 Peter Wright

(3–0, 3–1, 3–1)
The fairytale continues. Arno Merk produced another fearless display to dump out two-time World Champion Peter Wright in straight sets. Composed, clinical, and unfazed by the occasion, the debutant’s dream run rolls on.

Key Session Insights

180s: 35

Highest Checkout: 167 x2 (Callan Ryds)

Highest Three-Dart Average: 96.59 (Callan Rydz)

EVENING SESSION

High Stakes, Heavy Scoring & Vintage Authority

Justin Hood 3–2 Danny Noppert

(3–2, 3–1, 2–3, 1–3, 6–5)
One of the games of the tournament. Justin Hood stared down huge pressure, huge finishes, and a sudden-death tie-break and blinked last. Averaging over 100 and firing in 11 maximums, Hood sealed a sensational victory in a 6–5 decider.

Gary Anderson 3–1 Connor Scutt

(1–3, 3–1, 3–1, 3–2)
Vintage Gary Anderson. After dropping the opening set, the two-time World Champion hit cruise control, reeling off three sets with relentless scoring and pinpoint finishing to remind everyone that class never fades.

Michael van Gerwen 3–1 William O’Connor

(3–2, 3–0, 1–3, 3–0)
Michael van Gerwen was sharp, focused, and ruthless when it mattered. After O’Connor threatened a comeback, MVG slammed the door shut with authority, producing big finishes and dominant legs to power into round three.

Josh Rock 3–0 Joe Comito

(3–1, 3–0, 3–1)
Josh Rock made light work of DPA number one Joe Comito. Averaging over 101, Rock never let his opponent settle, blasting through in straight sets to set up a blockbuster clash with Callan Rydz.

Key Session Insights

180s: 48

Highest Checkout: 157 (Danny Noppert)

Highest Three-Dart Average: 105.41 (Gary Anderson)

LOOKING AHEAD

The Paddy Power World Darts Championship resumes on Saturday, December 27, as reigning champion Luke Littler continues his title defense against Mensur Suljovic.

Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting faces James Hurrell, while fifth seed Jonny Clayton also returns to the Alexandra Palace stage as the tournament builds toward its decisive phase.

At Ally Pally, reputation offers no protection, and Day 13 showed that experience still knows exactly when to strike.

 

Saturday December 27
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Three 
Wesley Plaisier v Krzysztof Ratajski 
Andrew Gilding v Luke Woodhouse   
Jonny Clayton v Niels Zonneveld     

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Three
Andreas Harrysson v Ricardo Pietreczko    
Stephen Bunting v James Hurrell                
Luke Littler v Mensur Suljovic 

Sunday December 28
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Three
Martin Schindler v Ryan Searle                 
Damon Heta v Rob Cross                               
Gary Anderson v Jermaine Wattimena             

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Three
Gian van Veen v Madars Razma                                   
Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens                             
Michael van Gerwen v Arno Merk             

Monday December 29
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Three
Justin Hood v Ryan Meikle                
Ricky Evans v Charlie Manby                                     
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Three x1
Josh Rock v Callan Rydz
2x Round Four - TBC

Tuesday December 30
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Four x3

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Four x3

Thursday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2

Friday January 2 (1930 GMT)
Semi-Finals

Saturday January 3 (2000 GMT)
Final

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