Ryan Searle kicked off the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace with an impressive 3-0 victory over Matt Campbell, demonstrating his prowess as the competition heats up. The 37-year-old darts star from Holcombe Rogus recorded a remarkable average of 99.38, which included a stunning 164 checkout.
Searle, seeded 20th, expressed modesty after his win, stating, "I feel like I played all right. I can enjoy my Christmas now and prepare for the next game." His next challenge will be against Ryan Joyce in the third round of the championship, as tournament excitement continues to build.
The total prize fund for the championship is set at £2.5 million, with the victor walking away with £500,000—a substantial amount fueling the competitive edge among participants.
Meanwhile, the spotlight has also been on rising darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, who are generating buzz as the tournament favorites. Both players began their campaigns successfully, overcoming their opponents with notable skill. Littler, the youngest contestant at 17, showcased his talent through emotional performance, nearly achieving a nine-darter against Ryan Meikle. He managed to achieve the highest average recorded for a single set at the World Championship, hitting 140.91.
"It was the toughest game I have played, but as a player, you have got to get over the line," said Littler, who also broke down during his post-match interview. The teenage sensation has already made headlines this year, not only through his achievements within the sport, winning numerous PDC titles but also by becoming the most searched sportsman on Google in the UK.
Complaints about the media's focus on Littler and Humphries have sparked controversy within the darts community. Sky Sports' host Emma Paton defended the coverage amid backlash from established players such as Gary Anderson and James Wade. Nick Kenny, who recently overcame Raymond van Barneveld, emphasized the merit of the two Lukes, stating, "A few of them are moaning about the Luke and the Luke but they deserve to have credit from the media." Kenny's successful win means he will now face the reigning champion, Humphries, in the next round, raising the stakes for the competition.
Humphries has shown strong performance as he looks to defend his title, but not without challenges. Reports of Kenny receiving advice from van Barneveld following their match reflected the sense of camaraderie and competition at the event. "It’s a bit surreal,” Kenny said, reflecting on the significance of defeating the legendary Dutch player. "I’ve kept my Tour Card, I believe, but it was an absolute privilege to play Raymond van Barneveld on the big stage."
Other standout matches on day eight included Chris Dobey's solid start with a 3-1 win over Alexander Merkx, alongside victories for Karel Sedlacek, Alexis Toylo, and Brendan Dolan, who also advanced with straightforward performances.
Another noteworthy storyline emerged from the press conference chaos involving Joe Cullen, who after sweeping Wessel Nijman 3-0, exited abruptly from his post-match media interactions. "I've struggled this year on the oche and off the oche, so to find a performance like this, honestly I've got you guys to thank," Cullen remarked, with his frustration directed at media coverage leading up to his match. His candid comments ignited discussion across social media, with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.
The second weekend of the championship has been rife with thrilling encounters, emotional displays, and competitive tensions, setting the stage for what promises to be memorable clashes as players vie for the prestigious title.
A clash between Littler and his next opponent Ian White was confirmed after White's victory over Ritchie Edhouse. White humorously declared his intent to upset the unprecedented favorite: "Luke Littler's done everything for this sport the last two years." With the competition heating up post-Christmas, anticipation builds for the next phase of the World Darts Championship.
Looking forward, the tournament is set to resume on December 27, with subsequent rounds scheduled through to January 3. The adrenaline keeps rising as fans and players alike await the culmination of the championship at Ally Pally.
