PDC World Darts Championship: Quarter Final Preview.

After all fireworks we have had on stage in 2021, what better way to start the New Year with World Championship quarter-final action.

We have our fingers crossed that we have no Covid-19 withdrawals, as we are just three days away from knowing who will be crowned PDC World Champion 2022.

On New Year’s Day at the Palace we have four games which include;

• The current World Champion taking on 2019 World Runner Up
• The 2020 World Champion taking on The Riot

Afternoon Session

Wade v King

First up on Quarter-Final Saturday sees James Wade lock horns with Mervyn King in what should be a 140 fest.

James Wade dispatched of Martjin Kleermaker with ease to book his place in the last eight. After playing eight sets of darts, he’s only dropped one set however, he is yet to a 180 in this year’s competition. James Wade knows he will need to find some big scores if he wants to keep on track of reaching his first World Championship Final.

His opponent as had a more difficult run to this stage of the competition. Mervyn King has twice come from two sets behind to pick up wins, including in his last match against Raymond Smith.  Mervyn King knows a win here will match his best ever performance in the PDC World Championship, after reaching the Semi-Final in 2009. In that year the other losing Semi-Finalist was a certain James Wade. Who will make another World Championship Semi-Final in 2022?

Luke Humphries v Gary Anderson

The second tie of the afternoon as all the ingredients for a New Years Day 180 feast.

Luke Humphries will be looking to push on after reaching his third World Champions Quarter-Final in four years, with an impressive comeback win against Chris Dobey. In his previous Quarter-Finals Luke hasn’t reached the levels he knows he can, with defeats to Peter Wright and Michael Smith. Luke Humphries knows what it takes to reach the final on TV though after reaching his first this year, but now he needs to do it on the biggest stage of all.

If this stage is made to get the best out of one player, it’s Gary Anderson. Gary came into this year’s World Championship in poor form, however he’s found his way into the last eight coming through a difficult section of the draw with wins against Adie Lewis and a last set decider against Rob Cross. Gary Anderson knows what it takes to go all the way at the Ally Pally, recording five final appearances and lifting the famous trophy twice.

The last time these two met on a big stage it was Luke Humphries who got the better of the Scotsman in becoming the first challenger to win a Premier League game.

Evening Session

Peter Wright v Callan Rydz

No better way to get the evening session underway. We have the 2020 World Champion looking for title number two, against the player who is currently throwing some incredible stuff at Alexandra Palace.

Peter Wright surprised no one by starting the tournament using new darts. Peter Wright returned to some tried and trusted darts after two sets against Damon Heta and then won 12 out the next 15 legs. Peter Wright stuck with the same darts in his impressive 4-1 win against Ryan Searle.

What a tournament for Callan Rydz. He won his first three games without dropping a set, that included wins against seeded players Brendan Dolan and Nathan Aspinall. Question marks were asked when Alan Soutar got the first set against Rydz, but the Riot returned by winning the next four.

This game is set up to be a classic.

Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith

If the first game of this session looks special, this one should be spectacular. Both of these players have already been involved in World Championship classics in this years tournament. Everyone in the arena and the millions watching at home will be hoping for another one.

The current World Champion booked his place in the Quarter-Finals after he eased past the underperforming Aubergenius.  Gerwyn Price will be expecting a tougher tie however, the recent record would suggest otherwise, with the Welshman winning eight out of the last ten, drawing the other two in the Premier League.

Bully Boy will be coming into this game with his confidence at an all time high. Michael Smith was part of a World Championship classic when he defeated the player of 2021 Jonny Clayton in the Fourth Round. Michael Smith reached the final in 2019 and knows that knocking out the current Champion moves him a little bit closer to his TV first title, being the biggest title of all.

Saturday January 1

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)

2x Quarter-Finals

James Wade v Mervyn King

Luke Humphries v Gary Anderson

Evening Session (1930 GMT)

2x Quarter-Finals

Peter Wright v Callan Rydz

Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith