Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Luke Littler all passed the 16 on Wednesday. the World Darts Championship runs until the final on 3 January 2024 – we’re back on Thursday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Ali Stafford at Alexandra Palace
Last updated: 27/12/23 23:06
Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith cruised into the fourth round of the World Darts Championship as teenager Luke Littler continued his dream debut at Alexandra Palace.
Van Gerwen continued his quest for a fourth world title as he crushed compatriot Richard Veenstra in straight sets, while defending champion Smith advanced to the next round after seeing off Madars Razma 4-1.
Sixteen-year-old Littler produced another performance to become the youngest player in history to reach 16, with the former world junior champion winning his first three sets on his way to a 4-1 victory over Matt Campbell.
World Darts Championships: Results Wednesday night
Matt Campbell | 1-4 | Luke Littler (R3) |
Michael van Gerwen | 4-0 | Richard Veenstra (R3) |
Michael Smith | 4-1 | Madars Razma (R3) |
Former world champion Rob Cross progressed after a 4-2 win over Jeffrey de Graaf earlier in the day, with Dave Chisnall and Scott Williams – who came in the final set against Martin Schindler – also winning the afternoon session.
Littler continues the dream debut
Littler moved a step closer to a possible last-16 showdown with Raymond van Barneveld after a comfortable win over Campbell, averaging 97.19 and hitting eight maximums to extend his winning streak on his maiden worlds appearance championship.
The fan favorite cruised through the first two sets without dropping a leg and held on from 2-0 down to win the third in a final leg, then responded to the loss of the fourth by posting a 164 check-out on his way. winning the fifth and secured his place in the fourth round.
Littler had already crushed Christian Keast in straight sets and seen off UK Open champion Andrew Gilding before beating Campbell, with the latter victory meaning he will face either Van Barneveld or Wales’ Jim Williams in the next round.
“Unbelievable,” Littler he told Sky Sports. “I only wanted to win one game and I won three. I have fought it and I am so happy. I just let my darts do the talking.
“I just won that first game against Christian Kist, I just settled down and I just went 2-0 up against Matt, I tried to calm down because last time it didn’t go too well. I stayed calm and crossed the line.”
Van Gerwen whitewashes Veenstra
Van Gerwen made light work of fellow Dutchman Veenstra, missing just four legs and averaging 101.39 to set up a last-16 meeting with either Stephen Bunting or Florian Hempel.
The ‘Green Machine’ opened with a 13-dart hold and closed out the opening set with an 11-dart leg, with the former world No.1 taking control of the match by securing the second set with 11-back darts.
Veenstra extended the third set to 120 cash, but lost it in the final set, before Van Gerwen took the final set to complete an emphatic 130 finish victory.
“I definitely felt comfortable,” Van Gerwen said Sky Sports. “I had some bad legs, but don’t get me wrong, I think it was a good game. I didn’t want to give him the feeling that there was anything to take from that game.”
Smith approaches the defense
Smith maintained his bid for back-to-back world titles, although he looked far from his sparkling best at times during his 4-1 win over Razma.
Bully Boy scored two ton-plus finishes in the first set, including a 130 cash to hold the shot with Razma staying at doubles, only to seal the first game with a 14-dart hold.
Smith won the next two sets and took advantage of Razma dropping two sets of darts at D20 in the fourth to cruise through the final leg and open up a two-set advantage, before showing his class to go all the way to fifth.
He followed up an 11-dart hold by breaking throw with an 80 cash, then fired six perfect darts on his way to complete victory with a 13-darter and secure an all-out clash next with either Ross Smith or Chris Dobey.
“It wasn’t my best, but I fought and got over the line at the end,” Smith said Sky Sports. “I wasn’t happy with the performance, but I’m happy to go to the next round. I have to relax and find my A-game for the rest of the tournament now.”
World Darts Championship: Wednesday Afternoon Results
Scott Williams | 4-3 | Martin Schindler (R3) |
Dave Chisnall | 4-1 | Gabriel Clemens (R3) |
Rob Cross | 4-2 | Jeffrey de Graaf (R3) |
What else happened on day 10?
Cross averaged 101 and hit 10 maximums to earn a hard-fought victory over De Graff, winning six of his first eight legs before being held by the Dutch-born Swede.
De Graaf won the third set and responded by losing the next to claim the fifth, only for Cross to average 113 in the sixth set in each of the last 16 for the third consecutive year.
Williams defied 13 majors from Martin Schindler to cruise through the final set and reach the 16 for the first time in his career, hitting 152 and 146 cashes along the way, while 2021 semi-finalist Chisnall cruised past Clemens 4-1. .
What happens on Thursday at the World Darts Championship?
Pre-tournament favorite Luke Humphries will continue his title bid against German debutant Ricardo Pietreczko on Thursday as 2021 champion Gerwyn Price takes on Brendan Dolan.
Live World Darts Championship
December 28, 2023, 12:30 p.m
Live
World Darts Championships: Thursday Afternoon Programs
Florian Hebel | vs | Stephen Bunting (R3) |
Joe Cullen | vs | Ryan Searle (R3) |
Ross Smith | vs | Chris Dobey (R3) |
Joe Cullen takes on Ryan Searle with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey in action during the afternoon session.
Live World Darts Championship
December 28, 2023, 7:00 PM
Live
World Darts Championship: Thursday afternoon games
Gerwyn Price | vs | Brendan Dolan (R3) |
Luke Humphries | vs | Ricardo Pietreczko (R3) |
Ricky Evans | vs | Daryl Gurney (R3) |
The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5 million in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our exclusive Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship until the final on 3 January 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Subscription: £21 per month for 6 months