The excitement continues to build at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship as Day Four delivered nail-biting matches and stunning upsets at the iconic Alexandra Palace. The evening of darts featured four key clashes, including the standout match between Welshman Jim Williams and Filipino Paolo Nebrida, as well as Nathan Aspinall's encounter with American Leonard Gates.
First up, Jim Williams faced Paolo Nebrida, who not only aimed for his first World Championship victory but was also seeking redemption after several near misses. Williams, the former Lakeside finalist, was hoping to revert to the impressive form he displayed last year when he pulled off remarkable upsets, sending two-time world champion Peter Wright packing. Despite having had mixed performance throughout 2024, including disappointing exits earlier this year, Williams had the home stage advantage.
The match kicked off with Nebrida starting strongly, breaking Williams' throw early. Williams responded admirably by taking two consecutive legs, showcasing his grit. Despite Nebrida forcing the decider after Williams's missed chances, the Welshman’s experience began to show, averting disaster to level the sets. "I expected Jim to control the match fairly effectively," suggested darts analyst Mark Webster prior to the game, and for much of it, he did.
Yet, as the match progressed, Williams faltered at the worst moments, missing five set darts and allowing Nebrida to clinch the match with brilliance, finishing with a 121 checkout and winning 3-2. This unexpected victory highlighted Nebrida’s potential and raised eyebrows across the darts community. "I couldn't believe how it turned around at the end," commented Williams post-match, reflecting on his missed opportunities.
Next, attention shifted to the match between Nathan Aspinall and Leonard Gates. Aspinall, coming off major elbow surgery earlier this year, faced the American qualifier who had already secured one win under his belt against Cameron Menzies. Aspinall, initially riding high on confidence, was fighting for redemption after a lackluster performance at last year's championship where he was eliminated early.
The match was painted as pivotal for Aspinall's future, both to reclaim his position among darting elites and to confirm his Premier League placement for next year. The Stockport native was the heavy favorite, carrying odds of 1/5 against Gates. His explosive playing style had fans hoping for fireworks as the night-piece unfolded.
Watching Aspinall’s previous struggles, experts noted the challenges faced, particularly how pressure would frame his performance tonight. But Aspinall rose to the occasion, dominating the match without so much as dropping a set, finishing confidently with the score 3-0. "He looks back to his best," tweeted the PDC's official account, reflecting the general sentiment among spectators.
Meanwhile, the other matches of the evening saw Madars Razma face off against Christian Kist and Ricky Evans meet Gordon Mathers, both serving as their own narratives soaked in competitive spirit. Razma had previously secured his first-round win last year and came in hoping to repeat his success against Kist, who has struggled to find his footing since transitioning from the BDO. Kist, with an impressive 99.26 average, proved dominant, hitting multiple high scores against Razma but needed to deliver consistency.
Evans, known for his spirited performances and packed with fans, faced Mathers, also making his return after several years away. It was expected to be another entertaining affair. Both players had significant backstories, adding to the match's gravity.
Rapid at the oche, Evans stayed true to his reputation, performing with flair and finishing strong, highlighting his experience. The match concluded with Evans claiming the victory, solidifying his role as one of the tournament's crowd-pleasers.
With Day Four now concluded, the PDC World Darts Championship has shaped up to be filled with unexpected outcomes and stellar performances. Across the board, players have had to navigate nerves, missed darts, and stunning comebacks. The tournament continues to shine, pulling fans worldwide with the thrill of live darts and the unpredictable nature of the games.
Looking toward the next stages of the championship, anticipation is set to build on who will advance past the second round as the players each strive for the coveted title, and potentially the top prize of £500,000. After all, every dart thrown counts and each player is just one shot away from glory.
