Luke Littler sent out a statement to his title rivals on Day Two at the Betfred World Matchplay, producing a devastating display to celebrate his first win on the iconic Winter Gardens stage.
Littler had seen a host of high-profile stars – including world number one Luke Humphries – suffer surprise early exits, but he was never in danger of joining the big-name exodus in Blackpool.
Having succumbed to Michael van Gerwen on debut 12 months ago, Littler made amends in some style, sweeping aside a shell-shocked Ryan Searle in just 16 minutes of play.
The World Champion was imperious from start to finish at the Empress Ballroom, averaging 108.92 and crashing in five maximums in his 10-2 demolition of the Somerset star.
“I was well up for tonight. I really wanted that winning feeling,” claimed Littler, after registering the 13th highest average in World Matchplay history.
“I’m so glad to get my first win here, and I cannot wait to come back on Wednesday.
“I’ve been practising so much recently. I’ve been putting the hours in, and I’m glad it’s paid off tonight.
“I think all eyes are on me now, but I will just take it game by game.”
Humphries and Nathan Aspinall were dumped out on a dramatic opening night on Saturday, and four more seeded stars were sent packing in Sunday’s marathon double session.
However, Jonny Clayton and Gary Anderson impressed on Day Two of the summer’s biggest darts event, overcoming Martin Schindler and Luke Woodhouse in their respective first round ties.
2023 runner-up Clayton defied a 103 average from Schindler to extend the German’s winless run in Blackpool, rounding off a clinical display to wrap up a 10-7 success.
“This means a lot to me,” insisted Clayton, who had powered into a 4-1 lead with a 112 average.
“Martin is fantastic. What a player and what a credit to darts. He’s a great guy.
“I love it on this stage. I’m confident, I’ve got a smile on my face and I want to win this tournament, so hopefully it’s going to be my week.”
Anderson, meanwhile, made a sprint for the finish in his clash against Woodhouse, rattling off five legs on the spin from 5-5 to set up a blockbuster showdown with fourth seed Stephen Bunting.
The Scotsman struggled for fluency in the opening exchanges, although he produced a masterclass on the outer ring, pinning 67% of his attempts at double to get his title tilt underway.
“I changed darts a few times, but it came good in the end,” quipped the 2018 World Matchplay champion.
“I really appreciated the support tonight. I have not got many years left [in the sport], so I just want to soak it all in now.
“I’m here to play darts, and whatever happens, happens. If I can play the way I should play, I’ll be alright. If I don’t, I’m going home!”
Anderson’s reward is a meeting with former Masters champion Bunting, who overcame a sluggish start to see off Ryan Joyce for the second straight year in round one.
Bunting required a tie-break to topple Joyce 12 months ago, and despite surrendering an 8-4 cushion, the world number four responded with a brilliant 11-darter to advance.
Earlier in the day, former champions Rob Cross and Peter Wright joined the list of high-profile casualties in Blackpool, with Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall also crashing out at the first hurdle.
Andrew Gilding missed double 12 for a spectacular nine-darter in his tie against Heta, before running out a 12-10 winner in a Winter Gardens epic.
Both players averaged over a ton in a compelling contest, although it was Gilding – aided by ten maximums – who prevailed in a dramatic tie-break to set up a meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode.
“A few years ago I would have crumbled,” conceded Gilding, who averaged 101.82 to record one of the best victories of his career.
“Now I’m getting so much experience under my belt that I can handle these pressure situations.
“I wanted that nine-darter so badly, but I’m very happy to win, and hopefully I can reach the quarter-finals again. That’s the dream!”
Following opening night wins for Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman and Danny Noppert, Van Duijvenbode joined his fellow countrymen in the last 16 with a superb 10-8 win over Cross.
The Dutchman overturned a 6-2 deficit to stun the 2019 champion, unleashing a brilliant late barrage – including a magnificent tops-tops 137 checkout – to complete the comeback.
Jermaine Wattimena then maintained the Dutch domination in Blackpool, fending off a spirited fightback from 2021 champion Wright to secure his first World Matchplay win, at the fifth attempt.
Wattimena suffered a quartet of first round exits between 2018 and 2021, but he marked his return with a hard-fought 10-8 victory at the expense of the two-time World Champion.
Mike De Decker also celebrated his first victory on the Winter Gardens stage, converting back-to-back 104 and 148 checkouts to complete a 10-7 victory over five-time quarter-finalist Chisnall.
The World Grand Prix champion trailed 7-6 at one stage, before rattling off four successive legs to set up a meeting with fifth seed Clayton on Tuesday evening.
The Betfred World Matchplay continues on Monday evening, as three-time champion Michael van Gerwen takes on 2010 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld in a huge all-Dutch clash.
2022 runner-up Gerwyn Price also takes centre stage as the first round draws to a close, with the Welshman up against two-time semi-finalist Daryl Gurney in his opener.
Elsewhere, sixth seed Chris Dobey plays German number two Ricardo Pietreczko, while former European Champion Ross Smith faces Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock.
The Betfred World Matchplay is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2025 Betfred World Matchplay
Sunday July 20
Afternoon Session
First Round x4
Andrew Gilding 12-10 Damon Heta
Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-8 Rob Cross
Jermaine Wattimena 10-8 Peter Wright
Mike De Decker 10-7 Dave Chisnall
Evening Session
First Round x4
Gary Anderson 10-5 Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Martin Schindler
Luke Littler 10-2 Ryan Searle
Stephen Bunting 10-8 Ryan Joyce
Monday July 21 (1900 BST)
First Round x4
Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko
Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Ross Smith v Josh Rock
Best of 19 legs
Tuesday July 22 (1900 BST)
Second Round x4
Gian Van Veen v Danny Noppert
Wessel Nijman v James Wade
Stephen Bunting v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v Mike De Decker
Best of 21 legs
Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth “extra” leg is sudden-death.
——ENDS—–
Images: Taylor Lanning /PDC
