Smith’s defence is still on course as van Gerwen and Littler ease through.

Michael Smith continued the defence of his Paddy Power World Darts Championship title with a win over Madars Razma on Wednesday, while Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler both advanced to the fourth round.

Following a three-day Christmas break, the sport’s main event returned in grand style at London’s Alexandra Palace, with Smith, Van Gerwen, and Littler all making progress on a star-studded night of play.

Smith, who is attempting to become only the fourth player in World Championship history to win back-to-back titles, came back from a slow start to defeat Latvia’s number one Razma in a tough match.

Razma calmed the partisan audience with a timely 14-darter in the first set, before Smith won six of the next eight legs to grab control of the tie and lead 2-1.

The Latvian then missed two darts at double to restore parity in a crucial fourth set, and Smith seized by powering to victory, following up 75 and 80 finishes with a remarkable last leg of six immaculate darts.

 

“I managed to battle hard there and get the win in the end,” declared Smith, who will play either Ross Smith or Chris Dobey for a place in the quarter-finals.

“I’m not happy with the performance, but I’m happy to be in the next round, and hopefully I can find my A-game for the rest of the tournament.

“I wanted to put on a really good performance and I think I tried too hard, but I’m looking forward to playing Ross or Chris, because I know it will be a high-scoring game.”

Meanwhile, Van Gerwen resumed his quest for a fourth Alexandra Palace title with a straight-sets victory over compatriot Richard Veenstra in less than 27 minutes.

Van Gerwen averaged 101 in the opening set of their all-Dutch clash before smashing in back-to-back 11-darters to close out a spectacular second set in which he averaged 116.

Veenstra battled briefly to force a crucial leg in set three, but after extending his advantage to 3-0 with a 13-darter, an unflappable Van Gerwen rounded off a dominant performance with a breathtaking 130 finish.

“I felt comfortable, and I did what I had to do,” reflected Van Gerwen, who averaged 101 and pinned 57% of his attempts at a double.

“I was focused. I was sharp, and the will to win was there. You have to put your opponents under pressure, and that is what I did tonight.

“I don’t care who I play. Whoever comes in your path, you’re not allowed to make any mistakes – I just have to smash them.”

Littler, meanwhile, extended his record-breaking run with a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada’s Matt Campbell, becoming the youngest player ever to advance to the World Championship’s last 16.

The 16-year-old stormed to the first set in under a minute before rattling off legs of 14, 12, and 14 darts to increase his lead – including a breathtaking 130 checkout midway through game two.

Littler then exploited important Campbell mistakes in the final moments of set three to come to the brink of victory, only for the Canadian to break through with a superb 120 combination in a fourth set decider.

However, the World Youth Champion answered with a spectacular 164 checkout to start set five, which he backed up with an 11-dart leg as the teenage age sensation shows no sign of stopping.

“It’s unbelievable,” admitted Littler, who averaged 97, landed eight 180s and converted three ton-plus finishes to move through to a last 16 clash against Jim Williams or Raymond van Barneveld.

“Overall, it was a good performance. It wasn’t quite as good as the first round, but I don’t care if I win with the lowest average of the tournament, as long as I get the result.

“I’ve got nothing to lose now, because I’ve already overachieved. Jim is playing well, but it would be unbelievable to play against Raymond on that stage.”

Earlier in the day, Rob Cross advanced to the fourth round with a 4-2 win over a spirited Jeffery de Graff, average 101 and landing eight 180s.

Cross claimed six of the first eight legs to build a two-set lead, and while De Graaf cut the deficit to 3-2, the 2018 champion averaged 113 in a remarkable sixth set to advance to the last 16 for the third year in a row.

Scott Williams defeated Martin Schindler in a seven-set battle on Wednesday, coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to reach the fourth round for the first time in his career.

Despite a slow start, Williams landed 152 and 146 checkouts to tie the match at 2-2, only for the small German to reclaim the lead with a sensational 161 finish to close off set five.

Williams, however, came through a thrilling tie-break after restored parity at three sets apiece with a brace of 90 checkouts.

Schindler’s World Cup partner Gabriel Clemens also lost 4-1 to 2021 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall on a dramatic afternoon in the city.

Chisnall won nine of the first 10 legs to take a commanding 3-0 lead, punishing last year’s semi-finalist’s 22 missed double darts to keep his title chances alive.

2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Wednesday December 27

Afternoon Session

Third Round

Scott Williams 4-3 Martin Schindler (1-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 4-2) (R3)

Dave Chisnall 4-1 Gabriel Clemens (3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2) (R3)

Rob Cross 4-2 Jeffrey de Graaf (3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) (R3)

 

Evening Session

Luke Littler 4-1 Matt Campbell (3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1) (R3)

Michael van Gerwen 4-0 Richard Veenstra (3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0) (R3)

Michael Smith 4-1 Madars Razma (2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1) (R3)

 

Thursday December 28

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)

Florian Hempel v Stephen Bunting (R3)

Joe Cullen v Ryan Searle (R3)

Ross Smith v Chris Dobey (R3)

 

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

Gerwyn Price v Brendan Dolan (R3)

Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko (R3)

Ricky Evans v Daryl Gurney (R3)