Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen moved through to the last 16 of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship on Saturday, as Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey also celebrated victories.
Littler and Van Gerwen were the headline attractions in a star-studded double-session at London’s Alexandra Palace, as a further six third round ties took place in the capital.
Littler crashed in a dozen maximums and averaged almost 98 to see off Stoke-on-Trent veteran Ian White, overcoming a sluggish start to close out a hard-fought 4-1 win.
“I know I can do a lot better, but in set-play, it’s all about winning,” insisted Littler, who will face a resurgent Ryan Joyce for a place in the last eight.
“I was happy with my performance scoring-wise. My doubles need to be a bit better, but as soon as I won that first set tonight, I felt settled.
“I’m expecting the same old Ryan [Joyce] – hitting his doubles first or second time, but I just need to take the opportunities when I can.”
Van Gerwen insisted he had plenty more left in the tank after he continued his title bid with a battling 4-2 win over Dolan, defying a late fightback from the Northern Irish veteran in the process.
Dolan drew first blood in a competitive opening set, although Van Gerwen responded with a superb run of eight straight legs – including 129 and 149 combinations – to establish a 3-1 buffer.
Dolan claimed a scrappy fifth set to reduce the arrears, only for the Dutchman to regain his poise in the closing stages to move through to a meeting against either Paolo Nebrida or Jeffrey de Graaf.
“I definitely had to battle. It wasn’t an easy game at all,” reflected Van Gerwen, who averaged 97 and fired in ten 180s on his way to victory.
“I feel good. Of course there is still a lot of work to do, but I believe in my own ability and my own opportunities.
“I think I am only playing at 10% of my level, but I’m still in the tournament, so if I can build on this, I think I can be in a really good spot."
Earlier in the day, former quarter-finalist Joyce won through a seven-set epic against Ryan Searle to maintain his impressive run in televised ranking events.
Searle recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to force a decider, although the Somerset star was denied by a relentless Joyce, who followed up a 113 finish with a 13-darter to triumph in a thrilling finale.
“I always talk up my finishing so it's pleasing to show it on the big stage,” reflected Joyce, who pinned 62% of his attempts at double to defy a 100.97 average from Searle.
“I hope this is the start of me being able to produce 100 averages every time I play.
“I know I will have to be at my best against Luke to have any chance of winning, but he will need to play well to beat me too!”
Aspinall maintained his title challenge with a straight-sets demolition of Andrew Gilding, converting 60% of his attempts at double to advance to the last 16 for the first time in five years.
The Stockport star followed up his opening victory over Leonard Gates with a clinical display on the outer ring, as he eased past Gilding in a battle of the former UK Open champions.
Aspinall’s reward will be a showdown with Ricardo Pietreczko, who preserved German hopes with an impressive 4-1 victory over last year’s semi-finalist Scott Williams.
Pietreczko produced one of his best performances on the big stage to break new ground at Alexandra Palace, taking out 129 and 121 checkouts while also producing a fourth-set average of 118.
Elsewhere, Dobey produced a brilliant double-double finish to see off Northern Ireland’s number one Josh Rock, reeling off three consecutive sets to close out a 4-2 success.
The pair landed nine 180s apiece in a high-octane affair, although Dobey underlined his credentials in the latter stages, winning nine of the last 12 legs to prevail with a 97 average.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship continues on Sunday, as the remaining four third-round ties take place alongside the opening two last 16 matches.
Reigning champion Luke Humphries takes on two-time winner Peter Wright for a place in the quarter-finals, while Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price lock horns in an all-Welsh affair.
Click here for match stats & results.
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Saturday December 28
Third Round
Afternoon Session
Ryan Joyce 4-3 Ryan Searle (3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 4-2)
Ricardo Pietreczko 4-1 Scott Williams (3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2)
Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Sunday December 29
Third Round
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Jeffrey de Graaf v Paolo Nebrida
Kevin Doets v Krzysztof Ratajski
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Callan Rydz
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Third Round
Ricky Evans v Robert Owen
Fourth Round
Jonny Clayton v Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries v Peter Wright