Defending champion Luke Littler eased into the third round of the World Darts Championship on Sunday night, while ninth seed Gerwyn Price suffered a surprise straight-sets defeat at Alexandra Palace.
Littler was rarely troubled as he dispatched David Davies 3-0, capitalising on his opponent’s missed opportunities. Davies squandered six darts at double in the opening set and was briefly confused by attempting to leave the stage at 2-2, allowing the teenager to maintain control and close out the contest comfortably.
COMFORTABLE FOR LITTLER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2025
After a nervy opening set, Luke Littler gets the job done to wrap up a 3-0 victory and reach Round Three.
📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND#WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/J6T44DlHrx
The reigning champion will now face Mensur Suljovic in the last 32. “I watched him this afternoon, and he played well,” Littler said after the match. “When the draw came out, Mensur messaged me and said, ‘See you in round three.’ Let’s have a good game.”
Earlier in the evening session, Gerwyn Price became the latest high seed to exit the tournament after a 3-0 defeat to Dutch qualifier Wesley Plaisier. Despite Price recording the higher match average, Plaisier produced a composed performance to seal the biggest win of his career.
“I can’t believe it, I’m so over the moon,” Plaisier said. “It’s my biggest victory ever. I don’t know how I did it.”
Germany’s Martin Schindler progressed with a straight-sets win over Keane Barry, while Australian Damon Heta was pushed all the way before edging past Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont in a deciding set.
Cross progresses as Cullen bows out
Earlier in the day, former world champion Rob Cross advanced with a measured 3-1 victory over Ian White. The match was decided by an 82 checkout in a final leg shootout, after White had briefly levelled following a dominant second set.
Cross responded well, producing a clinical 113 finish to regain momentum before closing out the match.
Joe Cullen, however, exited the competition after a 3-1 defeat to Suljovic, visibly frustrated by his opponent’s pace of play and engaging in a frosty exchange at the end of the match.
Elsewhere, Luke Woodhouse impressed with a 3-0 win over Max Hopp, averaging 107.36 in the opening set, while Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Ryan Joyce 3-1 to book his place in the next round.
PLAISIER KNOCKS OUT PRICE 😳
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2025
Gerwyn Price is OUT ❌
What an incredible performance from Wesley Plaisier, who delivers one of the greatest shocks of the tournament so far to WHITEWASH Price!
📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND #WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/3VZN8bd7gp
Results
Afternoon session
Ryan Joyce 1-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen 1-3 Mensur Suljovic
Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Max Hopp
Rob Cross 3-1 Ian White
Evening session
Martin Schindler 3-0 Keane Barry
Wesley Plaisier 3-0 Gerwyn Price
Luke Littler 3-0 David Davies
Damon Heta 3-2 Stefan Bellmont
