Anderson demolishes Whitlock on night 2 on his quest for a third world title.

Gary Anderson began his pursuit for a third Paddy Power World Darts Championship title on Saturday with a commanding straight sets victory against Simon Whitlock.

On Day Two of the sport’s marquee event, eight matches were played over the course of an action-packed double session at Alexandra Palace, with Anderson stealing the show on his return to the city.

In 2023, the two-time World Champion has made a miraculous comeback, as he began his latest title defence with a demolition job on 2010 runner-up Whitlock.

Anderson had a great start to the competition, following up a maximum in his first visit with an 11-dart hold to give the shell-shocked Australian an early warning shot.

The Scot extended his winning streak to five legs, and while Whitlock stopped the rot with a 106 outshot, Anderson responded with a third 180 and a 13-darter to double his lead in sets.

Whitlock threatened to cut the deficit with a spirited third-set performance, but Anderson refused to be swayed, delivering 112 and 116 checkouts in the closing minutes to seal his progress in style.

“I’ve known Simon for a long time, and he was struggling up there tonight,” reflected Anderson, who averaged 98, posted five 180s and pinned 50 per cent of his attempts at double.

“It is hard to play against that. I’m expecting the 140s, 180s, the big finishes. Simon is notorious for the 170 checkouts, but he came back at the end there, so I’m glad to get over the line.

“I have said it many times. I haven’t wanted to play darts over the last three years, but win or lose, I’m enjoying the game again. I’m getting there!”

Anderson will be joined in round three by 2021 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall, who overcame a slow start to defeat Cameron Menzies in a tumultuous match.

Menzies, who defeated Rusty-Jake Rodriguez on Friday’s opening night, was penalised for missing 27 darts at a double in a wasteful performance despite winning the first set without reply.

Chisnall rallied by winning six of the next eight legs to take a 2-1 lead, and after Menzies blew five darts to force a final set, the Morecambe man completed the comeback.

“I’m over the moon,” admitted Chisnall, who could potentially meet last year’s semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens in round three.

“It was a tough game for me. Cammy is a really good player, but I couldn’t find anything in that first set.

“This is a massive tournament for me. I know I’m playing some good darts. I’ve been great on the floor and on the European Tour, but now I just want some results on the big stage.”

On his World Championship debut, Connor Scutt dispatched Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk and set up a round two showdown with 2021 champion Gerwyn Price.

Scutt, who finished second in the Players Championship in October, clocked five 180s and pinned nine of his 14 attempts at a double to round off an incredible performance.

“I’ve put so much into this, so to get over the line was really special,” reflected Scutt, who averaged 95 and fired in a stunning 138 checkout in the early exchanges.

“My practice game is starting to come out in competitive games which is great for myself.

“I know what Gezzy can do, but if I play my A-game, I believe I’ve got a decent chance. It’s about being comfortable, because if I get comfortable up there, I’ll be difficult to stop.

After defeating newcomer Reynaldo Rivera, former UK Open semi-finalist Keane Barry will face three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen for a spot in round three.

Barry took the opening set with a 120 combination, then doubled his lead in a gritty second set, and despite Rivera halving the gap with a clean sweep in game three, the Irishman returned to win 3-1.

Jamie Hughes couldn’t fight back his tears after defeating Canada’s David Cameron in a tough match to claim his maiden victory on the sport’s grandest stage.

The Tipton thrower had lost his previous four World Championship bouts, but he broke his duck with a hard-fought 3-1 victory to set up a tie with Krzysztof Ratajski.

Scott Williams advanced by the same score, surviving a late onslaught from PDC Asian Champion Haruki Muramatsu to face world number seven Danny Noppert.

Williams opened his account with a brilliant 120 checkout, and he capped things off with a 127 on the bull, with Muramatsu poised on a potential two-darter to force a final set.

 

Earlier in the day, on his Alexandra Palace debut, Darren Penhall delivered a devastating exhibition of combination finishing to defeat Jules van Dongen 3-1.

Penhall, who won 11 DPA ProTour championships in 2023, defeated the American number one, who was fighting to keep his PDC Tour Card, with 108, 116, and 120 finishes

Meanwhile, in the afternoon’s first match, Lee Evans defeated PDC Asian Championship runner-up Sandro Eric Sosing in straight sets in a battle of Ally Pally debutants.

Evans, a five-time UK Open qualifier, needed only three legs to advance to the second round against world number three Luke Humphries on Sunday.

Penhall will also face Masters winner Joe Cullen in Sunday’s double session, while Fallon Sherrock will face quick-fire Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena for a spot in round two.

 

Saturday Results

Lee Evans 3-0 Sandro Eric Sosing (3-1, 3-0, 3-2) (R1)

Connor Scutt 3-0 Krzysztof Kciuk (3-0, 3-2, 3-1) (R1)

Darren Penhall 3-1 Jules van Dongen (3-2, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1) (R1)

Dave Chisnall 3-1 Cameron Menzies (0-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2) (R2)

 

Evening Session

3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Jamie Hughes 3-1 David Cameron (3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0) (R1)

Keane Barry 3-1 Reynaldo Rivera (3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1) (R1)

Scott Williams 3-1 Haruki Muramatsu (3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2) (R1)

Gary Anderson 3-0 Simon Whitlock (3-0, 3-1, 3-2) (R2)