The 2025/26 PDC World Championships roared onwards into the evening, as the third day of action was headlined by none other than Luke Humphries up at the oche.
By Sarah Leaver
Match 1: Jeffrey de Graaf vs Paul Lim
71-year-old Paul Lim started off as young as ever, hitting double five to take a two legs lead, but a break of throw for Jeffrey de Graaf got him back in the set. The crowd was entirely behind Lim – rightfully so – as he quickly won the next leg to put himself a set ahead.
De Graaf’s form picked up in the second set and, despite Lim getting a leg, the Swede took three to level the standings. The Singaporean then missed three doubles in a row to gift de Graaf the leg, but both men kept fighting to take it to a decider.
That decider was taken by Lin to put himself 2-1 up, with the fourth leg being a step up from the others, once again going down to the wire. A 180 from Lim set him up for a 56-finish, which he smoothly took out to win the match.
RESULT: Jeffrey de Graaf 1 Paul Lim 3
MATCH 2: Wessel Nijman (31) vs Karel Sedlacek
Wessel Nijman, one of the lowest ranked seeded players, took on Karel Sedlacek in the second match of the evening, with the former going 1-0 up in legs before being pegged back, but the Dutchman was at the top of his game, winning a further leg and taking out 136 to win the set.
Nijman then took a one-leg lead but missed double tops, allowing Sedlacek to equalise. This didn’t dishearten the Dutchman though, winning another leg and easily taking the second set after three missed doubles from the Czech.
Averaging over 104, Nijman was flying in the match and, despite missing numerous doubles, flew through the third leg, finally taking out double 12 for the match and a second-round tie against either Gabriel Clemes or Alex Spellman.
RESULT: Wessel Nijman 3 Karel Sedlacek 0
MATCH 3: Luke Humphries (2) vs Ted Evetts
Two English players in Ted Evetts and world number two Luke Humphries faced off in the penultimate match, and Humphries – newly appointed MBE – really showed why he is the second-best player in the world, effortlessly taking the first three legs without a look-in from Evetts.
Evetts came out a bit sharper in the second set, winning the first leg but Humphries piled on the pressure to hit a 138-checkout to equalise, and then taking two more legs to double his set lead.
Once again Evetts took the first and second leg after yet another appearance from the Ally Pally wasp, which appeared to bring the 28-year-old luck as he went on to win the set.
Humphries was not playing at his usual best in the latter sets, but he persevered to take the fourth set to set up a match with Paul Lim.
RESULT: Luke Humphries 3 Ted Evetts 1
MATCH 4: Gabriel Clemens vs Alex Spellman
Gabriel Clemens easily took three consecutive legs in the final match of the day, and stayed in cruise control in the second set, taking out 24 to win it.
American Alex Spellman never really got going in the game, missing the high scoring beds and having numerous trebleless visits, and Clemens was easily finding the doubles and trebles without the pressure from his opponent.
The third set continued as expected – with Clemens on top. Despite not having the highest average, the German was happily playing his darts. Although, the American did begin to improve with a 180 visit and his first leg of the match, but it was too little too late as Clemens smoothly checked out 41 to win the match.
RESULT: Gabriel Clemens 3 Alex Spellman 0
AS IT HAPPENS: 2025/26 PDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- World Darts Championships: Night 1 – Luke Littler sweeps aside first round opponent
- World Darts Championships: Day 2 Afternoon session – Rob Cross avoids upset
- World Darts Championships: Day 2 Evening – Major Upset as ‘Ally Pally Wasp’ returns
- World Darts Championships: Day 3 Afternoon – Gary Anderson stars in showdown at Ally Pally
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