Paolo Nebrida has taken the 2025 Darts World Championship by storm, causing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating the heavily favored Ross Smith 3-0. This remarkable victory not only marked Nebrida as the first Asian player to advance to the last 32 of the championship since Seigo Asada's achievement in 2020, but it also showcased the immense potential of the Filipino darts player.
The match took place at the iconic Alexandra Palace, London, where tension ran high as players battled for advancement. Nebrida started his campaign impressively, already stunning the crowd by knocking out Jim Williams 3-2 in the first round. His triumph over Smith was especially noteworthy, as many considered Smith to be one of the top competitors going for the title.
The match against Smith was characterized by Nebrida's remarkable checkout percentages. Clocking at 81.82%, he firmly established himself as the player to beat. Meanwhile, Smith faltered with just 23.08%, struggling particularly at key moments as he missed eight darts to close out legs.
Expert analysis by Robert Marijanovic emphasized the unexpected nature of this victory: "We’re probably talking about the biggest sensation of the second round, no matter what happens next," reflecting on the significance of Nebrida's performance. The atmosphere was electric as Nebrida not only outplayed Smith but did so with style, executing high finishes including 118, which left the audience on the edge of their seats.
The first set saw Nebrida take early command, winning all of his three opening legs and establishing dominance at the outset. Smith's chances dwindled as he became increasingly frustrated—his conversion struggles highlighted by missed opportunities on double-10 and his inability to seize momentum. Despite his attempts to rally, the Filipino took the second set after Smith failed to close it out, cementing his lead at 2-0.
Going to the third set, the defeat began to loom larger for Smith. Even with the chance to regain footing, two missed darts initiated another setback as Nebrida seized the moment, propelling himself to victory with confidence. Smith’s miss on the finish allowed Nebrida to deliver the knockout punch, sealing the match with style.
Simultaneously, other matches during the evening session saw top players like Gary Anderson and Martin Schindler also exit early. Anderson, celebrating his birthday, suffered at the hands of Jeffrey De Graaf, who not only won but performed at impressive averages with strong checkout skills, marking another day of surprises at the championship.
De Graaf’s victory was marked by five consecutive legs won, propelling him through the rounds with effective high finishes. This match drew attention to the unpredictable nature of the tournament, paralleling it with Nebrida's own groundbreaking win.
Despite the early exits of several seeded players, Nebrida’s story is one of resilience and talent. His past two tournament appearances ended at the first hurdle, but he demonstrated undeniable growth and skill during this championship, confidently declaring his arrival on the world stage. "Sensation! A Filipino makes Ally Pally explode," echoed sentiments across the playing hall, emphasizing the monumental impact of Nebrida’s feat on this year's competition.
With his eye on future challenges, Nebrida’s unexpected rise exemplifies the thrill of darts, where any player can seize the moment and make their mark. Looking forward, all eyes will be on him as he prepares for the next round, eager to maintain his groundbreaking performance and make even more history at the Darts World Championship.
