The excitement of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship continues on Saturday afternoon, with three thrilling matches scheduled to grip fans at Alexandra Palace. The event, which kicked off earlier this month, has entered the third round, where players must win four sets to advance to the last sixteen. Major names like Nathan Aspinall, Scott Williams, and Andrew Gilding are all set to take the stage, promising high-stakes drama.
The first match of the afternoon pits Ryan Joyce against Ryan Searle. Joyce, known as 'Relentless,' has shown his skills as one of the underrated players vying for championship glory. After securing 3-1 victories over Darius Labanauskas and Danny Noppert, Joyce seems poised for another run. This marks his first appearance this far since 2019, where he surprisingly made it to the quarter-finals. Searle, dubbed 'Heavy Metal,' is the more experienced competitor, with six previous World Championship appearances under his belt, though he has struggled to move beyond the last sixteen.
Statistically, Searle has been impressive, arriving with renewed form after thrashing Matt Campbell 3-0. His three-dart average sits at 95.74, edging Joyce's 93.73, and with Searle currently maintaining an unbeaten streak before Christmas, he might prove hard to beat. Historically, these two have faced off six times, with Joyce winning four encounters. Yet, Searle does hold the advantage from their only televised clash at the 2021 Players Championship Finals, where he triumphed 6-5.
Following this match, Scott Williams will face Ricardo Pietreczko, both players unseeded and eager to make their mark. Williams made headlines with his remarkable run to the semi-finals last year and has already dispatched seeded players like Rob Cross and Niko Springer, both by 3-1 counts. His charisma and unique style—along with his knack for performing well under pressure—could give him the edge against the German Pietreczko, who has shown vulnerability under audience scrutiny.
Pietreczko remains the last German competitor left after securing victories against Xiaochen Zong and Gian van Veen. Last year, he reached the third round but fell to Luke Humphries, who eventually took the title. Williams and Pietreczko are familiar with each other’s style, having met once before at a Euro Tour qualifying tournament, where Pietreczko emerged victorious with considerable ease, winning 6-2.
The afternoon concludes with the beloved Nathan Aspinall squaring off against Andrew Gilding. Aspinall has been somewhat of a darling for darts fans, having reached the semi-finals during his first two appearances but failing to replicate such success recently. He edged past Leonard Gates 3-1 to reach this round, and Gilding, the former UK Open champion, also overcame Martin Lukeman with the same score.
Statistically, Aspinall currently has the upper hand against Gilding, boasting seven victories over him out of their ten meetings. Despite this, Gilding's performance should not be underestimated, as he is known for pulling off surprises and previously scored significantly against higher-ranked opponents. Saturday’s clash is expected to be gripping, especially with the stakes heightened as Aspinall dreams of reclaiming his world title and vying for Premier League inclusion.
With Sky Sports providing extensive coverage of the tournament, fans are eager to witness these matches littered with drama, tension, and outstanding darting skill. The winner of each match will not only claim bragging rights but also advance closer to the prestigious title and their share of the £2.5 million prize fund, with the world champion taking home £500,000.
The tournament format intensifies as it progresses, making every thrown dart potentially pivotal. Matches are best-of-seven sets from this point, raising the excitement and anticipation as competitors push through fatigue to achieve darting glory.
To wrap up, this Saturday's matches are set to be phenomenal displays of resilience and skill. While the favorites may hover, it’s the unpredictable nature of darts, coupled with the intensity building at the Alexandra Palace, which will surely entertain fans and participants alike.
