The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship continues on Thursday, as three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen gets his title tilt underway at Alexandra Palace.
Dutch superstar Van Gerwen, who lifted the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy in 2014, 2017 and 2019, will play Japanese newcomer Mitsuhiko Tatsunami for a place in round two.
Dave Chisnall and Fallon Sherrock will go head-to-head in a blockbuster showdown, as former quarter-finalist Krzysztof Ratajski faces Alexis Toylo.
Meanwhile, European Championship runner-up Jermaine Wattimena opens his campaign against Germany’s Dominik Gruellich.
In the afternoon session, David Munyua and Motomu Sakai recorded shock wins over Mike De Decker and Thibault Tricole respectively, as Ryan Joyce and Callan Rydz also advanced.
Afternoon round-up
David Munyua created history by becoming the first Kenyan to win at the Alexandra Palace with a remarkable comeback triumph over Mike De Decker.
The Kenyan trailed 2-0, but held his nerve, winning two set-deciding legs before pinning a 135 in the final set on the way to securing a historic victory.
Motomu Sakai stunned Thibault Tricole 3-0 in his first game on the Alexandra Palace stage with an enigmatic performance to set up a round two clash with Andreas Harrysson.
The Japanese trailblazer took out a whopping 148 checkout before winning the second set, and took the final stanza in straight legs to secure a memorable victory.
Ryan Joyce eased past Owen Bates in his straight-sets victory, restricting his opponent to just a sole leg.
Joyce averaged over a ton in the opening two sets and finished the match with a trademark exemplary performance on the outer-ring, hitting 64% of his doubles.
Callan Rydz swept aside Patrik Kovacs in straight sets to ensure his progression to Round Two.
A two-time quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace, Rydz took out a double-double checkout on 92 in the final set, before sealing the match with a 14-dart break.
The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers)
2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Thursday December 18
Afternoon Session
Round One x4
Callan Rydz 3-0 Patrik Kovacs (3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
Motomu Sakai 3-0 Thibault Tricole (3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
Ryan Joyce 3-0 Owen Bates (3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
David Munyua 3-2 Mike De Decker (1-3; 2-3; 3-2; 3-2; 3-1)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round One x4
Jermaine Wattimena v Dominik Gruellich
Dave Chisnall v Fallon Sherrock
Michael van Gerwen v Mitsuhiko Tatsunami
Krzysztof Ratajski v Alexis Toylo
Best of Five Sets
