World Darts Championship 2026: Luke Littler comes by David Davies check as Gerwyn Value suffers SHOCK defeat

Reigning champion Luke Littler labored arduous for a 3-0 win over David Davies as Gerwyn Value was on the tip of a shock second-round defeat at Alexandra Palace.

Davies got here out and was taking part in an epic sport within the first set, averaging over 103 within the early exchanges as he broke the world No 1’s throw.

Nevertheless, as Littler took the fourth leg following the Welshman lacking six set darts, Davies was flummoxed and went to stroll off the stage with out realising the set was nonetheless alive, giving Littler the management to take out 82 on tops regardless of a low 89.04 common.

It was not lengthy although till Littler’s common was up over 96 and, after a elegant 145 checkout, he began to run away, choosing up three legs on the spin to maneuver one set from a third-round spot.

Davies’ doubling was the factor of his sport that was letting him down and at one level, he had missed 16 doubles whereas Littler solely had 16 possibilities on the double whole.

Whereas Littler obtained to wrap up the competition on his favorite 10 and didn’t drop a set, the match was something however routine, with the Welshman pushing ‘The Nuke’.

He now faces Mensur Suljovic within the third spherical as he seems to be to grow to be the fourth participant ever to go back-to-back.

Littler says Suljovic messaged him when the draw was confirmed to anticipate a gathering in spherical three.

“I’m happy with it, but just throughout that game I was getting away with it,” Littler informed Sky Sports activities.

“David missed 16 darts at a double, however each dart he missed was essential – the double 18s, the tops.

“If he hit them, it was a complete different game, but I’m glad he missed. I’ve got the job done.

“I watched it this afternoon and Mensur [Suljovic] performed properly.

“Obviously, no one knows this, but when the tournament draw came out, Mensur messaged me, and he said ‘see you in round three’.

“So, Mensur, let’s have a superb sport.”

Value pummelled as Plaisier shines on Palace stage

Value was on the tip of a demolition job from Wesley Plaisier because the Dutchman pulled off the largest shock of the event up to now and his “biggest victory ever”.

The ninth seed exclaimed simply days in the past that he was going to win the Worlds, together with a possible quarter-final towards Luke Littler on the way in which, however couldn’t discover what he wanted within the massive moments of the match that noticed Plaisier attain the third spherical on simply his second-ever look at Ally Pally.

Plaisier got here out preventing within the opening set and made having the darts rely, breaking Value’s throw within the fourth leg to go 1-0 forward, his 60 per cent doubling success placing him on high.

The Dutchman didn’t drop his degree within the second set both whereas the doubles began to elude Value, an early break of throw giving Plaisier the benefit earlier than a clutch dart at D4 put him one set from a monumental upset.

Plaisier simply saved the strain on and, with the throw on his facet within the third set, he saved management and took out D10 to seal the deal.

“I still cannot believe it, I am so over the moon,” Plaisier informed Sky Sports activities.

“This is my biggest victory ever I think. I don’t know how I did it but I am happy I kept calm at the end.

“I used to be so nervous, I’m so pleased I obtained it over the road. I am unable to clarify it in phrases, it’s simply so particular.

“I thought I was going to give him a hell of a match, I did not expect to win it.”

Elsewhere, sixteenth seed Damon Heta survived a scare as he was taken all the way in which by Stefan Bellmont however the Australian held agency to interrupt the throw on the pivotal second to arrange a gathering with former champion Rob Cross after the Christmas break.

In the meantime, Martin Schindler made his mark with a complete 3-0 victory over Keane Barry, successful every of the units 3-2 on legs with some clutch doubling and a 96.16 common.

What occurred within the afternoon session?

Littler’s subsequent opponent Suljovic made it by to the final 32 of the World Championship as he defeated a visibly aggravated Joe Cullen 3-1 in a feisty encounter on Sunday afternoon.

The Austrian star averaged 82, hit three 180s and a excessive checkout of 100 in his victory however referee Kirk Bevans warned Suljovic to hurry up the retrieval of his darts after over-celebrating on stage.

Cullen, nicknamed ‘The Rockstar’ was not pleased with the veteran Austrian on the finish of the match, accusing him of gamesmanship in a social media publish.

Former world champion Rob Cross closed out a battling 3-1 victory over Ian White with a 91.71 common, 41 per cent on his doubles, three 180s and a 113 checkout.

Krzysztof Ratajski produced a powerful efficiency to defeat Ryan Joyce 3-1 because the Pole reached the final 32 for the sixth time in his profession.

He completed with a 94 common, hit three 180s and a excessive checkout of 135 to progress to the third spherical.

And Luke Woodhouse swept German Max Hopp apart in straight units to arrange a conflict with Andrew Gilding.

What’s subsequent?

The second spherical continues on Monday December 22 with two extra bumper classes of darts coming your approach on Sky Sports activities.

From 12.30pm, you possibly can catch, Darren Beveridge v Madars Razma, Wessel Nijman v Gabriel Clemens, David Munyua v Kevin Doets, and James Wade v Ricky Evans.

Then, from 7pm, Gian Van Veen takes on Alan Soutar, Nathan Aspinall performs Leonard Gates, Luke Humphries faces Paul Lim, and Charlie Manby is towards Adam Sevada.

Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely stay all over till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.