PDC World Championship: Gilding shocks Dobey as seeds tumble; Zonneveld, Hurrell ride wave of upsets
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LONDON – In a dramatic turn at Alexandra Palace, world number eight Chris Dobey was eliminated in teh second round, losing 3-1 to veteran Andrew Gilding. The 55-year-old englishman surged from behind to clinch a match that showcased his best tournament form to date, finishing with a career-best average of 99.01.
Dobey was among a quartet of seeds who suffered second-round exits on Saturday, joining Dave Chisnall, Michael Smith and Dirk van Duijvenbode in an afternoon of shocks. Gilding overturned the opening set setback and then controlled the pace, taking three further legs to move into the third round and set up a meeting with Luke Woodhouse or Max Hopp after Christmas.
After the win, Gilding said he felt “amazing,” noting a tough practice run beforehand that he believes can only improve his form. “The first thing I wanted was a nine-darter and the second was a win, so I got the second one,” he added, reflecting on a day he’ll remember for the right reasons.
In other action,world number four Stephen Bunting defeated Nitin Kumar in straight sets. Kumar’s first-round triumph had marked a historic moment as the first indian to win a match at the tournament,but Bunting’s clinical display kept him on track. Bunting landed checkout scores of 118, 107 and 132, converting 53% of his doubles and posting an notable 94.11 average, while Kumar managed just two legs and averaged 75.18.
“The Bullet” will next face England’s James Hurrell, who overcame world number 29 Dirk van Duijvenbode in a tight 3-2 win that underscored the depth of talent in the field.
The defending champion Michael smith, seeded 28th, also fell short, losing 3-1 to Niels Zonneveld of the Netherlands. Despite firing nearly 98 in average, Smith could not withstand Zonneveld’s late surge, who secured the last two sets to reach the third round for the first time. Zonneveld now advances to meet Jonny Clayton,who progressed through due to a bye granted after his opponent was suspended for an adverse drugs test.
Clayton’s advancement in the draw comes after the expected second-round match with dom taylor was scrapped when Taylor was suspended, allowing Clayton to move on without firing a throw. The Welshman will now wait to see who emerges from the Woodhouse-Hopp pairing to challenge him in the next round.
Key results at a glance
| Match | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Gilding def. Chris Dobey | 3-1 | Career-best average 99.01; Gilding advances to face Luke Woodhouse or Max Hopp |
| Stephen Bunting def. Nitin Kumar | 3-0 | Kumar’s first-round Indian triumph highlighted; Bunting strong with 118, 107, 132 checkouts |
| James Hurrell def. Dirk van Duijvenbode | 3-2 | Hurrell moves on to face Bunting |
| Niels Zonneveld def.Michael Smith | 3-1 | Smith,the 2023 world champion,exits as Zonneveld reaches the third round |
| Jonny Clayton (by)e | Bye | Opponent suspended after adverse drugs test; Clayton advances automatically |
What this means going forward
The day underlined the unpredictable nature of the world darts showpiece,where seasoned contenders and rising talents collide in a single-elimination format. Gilding’s display reinforces the idea that experience and composure can trump seeding on the big stage, especially when a player finds rhythm at the right moment. Zonneveld’s progression signals that more new names could break through as the tournament unfolds, while Clayton’s secure path offers a clear route to the later rounds for a Welsh favorite chasing back-to-back success.
Two compelling matchups await in the third round as Hurrell seeks another scalp and Woodhouse or Hopp attempt to derail Gilding’s momentum. The field remains wide open, with each result reshaping potential quarterfinal narratives and titles ever closer to realization.
What outcome do you think will define this year’s championship: a masterclass from a veteran like gilding, or a breakout run from a younger contender?
Which underdog should fans watch as the event progresses, and why?
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