Krzysztof Ratajski fought his way through the second round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, overcoming Alexis Toylo with a score of 3-1 on December 23 at the Alexandra Palace. Although the match ended with what appeared to be a comfortable victory for Ratajski, the reality was far more intense, as the Polish player only narrowly edged out his opponent by securing four additional legs across the contest.
The match began with Ratajski claiming the first set, thanks to a pivotal break of throw—a sign of the tension to come. Despite this early advantage, the subsequent two sets saw neither player able to break the other’s throw, indicating just how evenly matched they were. Toylo, the Asian Tour leader, had already stunned observers by defeating Richard Veenstra 3-0 earlier, proving he was no easy opponent.
With both players locked at one set each after the first two, the atmosphere heightened. Ratajski managed to gain the upper hand again, executing another break of throw, which allowed him to take control of the fourth set. Executing his darting strategy with precision, he finally pinned double 18 for the match-winning leg.
The win for Ratajski sets him up for a third-round encounter against Dutchman Kevin Doets. This match should offer him the chance to make a more substantial run at the championship than his current 31st ranking would suggest, as Ratajski aims to reclaim his former glory.
2025 marks the final day of the second round, which will see several high-profile matchups, including Andrew Gilding against Martin Lukeman, and Josh Rock taking on Rhys Griffin. Gilding, having failed to break past the second round before, faces Lukeman, who recently overcame Nitin Kumar. Meanwhile, Rock, known for his talent and experience, hopes to improve on his previous early exits from major tournaments.
Another engaging fixture on December 23 is Jonny Clayton against Mickey Mansell. Clayton, positioned seventh globally, is under pressure to prove his place among the darts elite as he enters this match following several unremarkable performances. Mansell, who successfully advanced past Tomoya Goto with his own 3-1 victory, is eager to also progress, having previously reached the second round multiple times but never advancing beyond it.
The excitement surrounding the PDC World Darts Championship is palpable, bolstered by the substantial prize pool of £2.5 million, which far exceeds the £60,000 allocated during the inaugural championship back in 1994. Each of the 64 participants, including Ratajski, Doets, and others, is guaranteed £7,500 simply for reaching the second round, with the stakes increasing significantly as they progress.
Further details of the tournament format reveal the escalation of challenges: the first round matches are best of 5 sets, the second round retains this format, but subsequent rounds increase to best of 7, 9, and even 13 sets for the final. A tie-break rule will apply from the second round onward, where if the score reaches 5-5, the decisive leg will be determined by sudden death.
Among the participating players, Josh Rock is especially motivated to turn around his previous lackluster performances from earlier championships. Despite his potential, he has faced early exits this year across several major events. The same goes for Gilding and Lukeman, who aim for celebrated advancements within this highly competitive tournament.
The coverage for the PDC World Darts Championship is being provided extensively by Sky Sports, allowing fans to catch all the action live, necessitating a subscription for access. The stage at Alexandra Palace continues to come alive with thrilling matches as participants vie for the title, with every dart thrown potentially leading to monumental moments this festive season.
The anticipation builds as the competition heads toward its later rounds, with every match promising to deliver drama, skill, and unforgettable sporting moments.
