World Darts Championship: Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Litter ease into last-16 | Darts News

Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Luke Littler all eased into the last-16 on Wednesday; the World Darts Championship runs all the best way till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – we’re again on Thursday at 12.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports Darts

Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith marched into the fourth spherical of the World Darts Championship, as teenager Luke Littler continued his dream debut on the Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen continued his bid for a fourth world title as he thrashed compatriot Richard Veenstra in straight units, whereas defending champion Smith moved into the subsequent spherical after seeing off Madars Razma 4-1.

Sixteen-year-old Littler produced one other assertion efficiency to grow to be the youngest participant in historical past to succeed in the final 16, with the previous world youth champion profitable his first three units on his option to a 4-1 win over Matt Campbell.

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Luke Littler produces an excellent 164 end towards Matt Campbell within the World Darts Championship third spherical.

Former world champion Rob Cross progressed after a 4-2 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf earlier within the day, with Dave Chisnall and Scott Williams – who got here by way of a final-set decider towards Martin Schindler – additionally profitable within the afternoon session.

Littler continues dream debut

Littler moved a step nearer to a possible last-16 showdown with Raymond van Barneveld after a snug win over Campbell, posting a 97.19 common and hitting eight maximums to increase his profitable streak in his maiden world championship look.

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Matt Campbell watches on in awe as 16-year-old Luke Littler finds an excellent 130 of their third spherical match on the World Darts Championship.

The followers’ favorite raced by way of the primary two units with out dropping a leg and battled again from 2-0 down to assert the third in a final-leg decider, then responded to dropping the fourth by taking out a 164 check-out on his manner profitable the fifth and securing his spot within the fourth spherical.

Littler had already thrashed Christian Kist in straight units and seen off reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding previous to beating Campbell, with the newest win which means he’ll face both Van Barneveld or Wales’ Jim Williams within the subsequent spherical.

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Luke Littler turns into the youngest participant to qualify for the final 16 of the World Darts Championship, however will he have a good time along with his trademark celebratory kebab?

“Unbelievable,” Littler advised Sky Sports. “I only wanted to win one game and I’ve won three. I’ve battled through it and I’m so happy. I just let my darts do the talking.

“As quickly as I gained that first sport towards Christian Kist I simply settled and as quickly as I went 2-0 up towards Matt I attempted to calm myself down as a result of final time it did not go too nicely. I saved composed and received over the road.”

Van Gerwen whitewashes Veenstra

Van Gerwen made light work of fellow Dutchman Veenstra, dropping just four legs and registering a 101.39 average to set up a last 16-meeting with either Stephen Bunting or Florian Hempel.

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Michael van Gerwen makes it clear that he wants Stephen Bunting next after he coasted into the last 16 at the World Darts Championship.

The ‘Green Machine’ opened with a 13-dart hold and wrapped up the opening set with an 11-dart leg, with the former world No 1 then taking control of the contest by securing the second set with back-to-back 11-darters.

Veenstra extended the third set with a 120 checkout but lost it to a final-set decider, before Van Gerwen breezed through the final set and completed an emphatic victory with a 130 finish.

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Michael van Gerwen iced a dominant 4-0 third-round Worlds win over Richard Veenstra with a brilliant 130 checkout.

“I undoubtedly felt comfy,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “I had some poor legs however do not get me improper I believe it was a superb sport. I did not need to give him the sensation that there was something to get from this sport.”

Smith moves step closer to defence

Smith maintained his bid for back-to-back world championship titles although looked far from his brilliant best at times during his 4-1 win over Razma.

Bully Boy posted two ton-plus finishes in the first set, including a 130 checkout to hold throw with Razma left on the double, only for his playing partner to seal the opener with a 14-dart hold.

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Michael Smith is into the last 16 after a tough third-round match against Madars Razma at the World Darts Championship.

Smith won the next two sets and took advantage of Razma wasting two set darts on D20 in the fourth to come through a final-leg decider and open up a two-set advantage, before showing his class to race through the fifth.

He followed an 11-dart hold by breaking throw with an 80 checkout, then threw six perfect darts on his way to completing victory with a 13-darter and securing an all-English clash next against either Ross Smith or Chris Dobey.

“It wasn’t my finest however I battled and received over the road in the long run,” Smith told Sky Sports. “I wasn’t pleased with the efficiency however am blissful to get to the subsequent spherical. I get to relax out and discover my A-game for the remainder of the match now.”

What else happened on day 10?

Cross averaged 101 and landed 10 maximums to claim a hard-fought victory over De Graff, having won six of his opening eight legs before being pegged back by the Dutch-born Swede.

De Graaf won the third set and responded to losing the next to claim the fifth, only for Cross to fire a 113 average in the sixth set to each the last-16 for a third consecutive year.

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Rob Cross said he enjoyed the battle against Jeffrey de Graaf and says he fancies himself, despite the players left on his side of the draw.

Williams defied 13 maximums from Martin Schindler to come through a final-set decider and reach the last-16 for the first time in his career, firing 152 and 146 checkouts along the way, while 2021 semi-finalist Chisnall breezed past Clemens 4-1.

What’s happening on Thursday at the World Darts Championship?

Pre-tournament favourite Luke Humphries will resume his title bid against German debutant Ricardo Pietreczko on Thursday, as 2021 champion Gerwyn Price faces Brendan Dolan.

Joe Cullen takes on Ryan Searle with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey in action during the afternoon session.

The sport’s largest occasion sees the remaining gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all of the motion dwell on our devoted Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship all the best way till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – dwell on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for six months