It’s Super Saturday at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, and the atmosphere is electric at Alexandra Palace, home to the third round of this prestigious event. Set to take the stage are some of the biggest names in darts, with matches featuring Chris Dobey, Josh Rock, Michael van Gerwen, Brendan Dolan, Luke Littler, and Ian White. Fans are eager to see whether these top players can live up to their expectations and secure spots in the last sixteen.
This evening, Chris Dobey will clash with Josh Rock, seemingly poised to be one of the most exciting matches of the night. Both players have had their ups and downs leading to this point. On one hand, Dobey, nicknamed 'Hollywood', has bounced back from disappointing performances and seemed to have hit form, recently averaging around 95.62 during his initial matches. He confidently looks to build on this momentum as he heads toward the clash against Rock, having bested him twice already earlier this year.
Analyzing their past encounters, the pair has met four times, with the score currently tied at 2-2. Given their history, this matchup promises to deliver high stakes and intense drama. Mark Webster, the Sky Sports pundit, remarked, “This is going to go deep and go to a deciding set, but I just think Dobey is going to have the edge.” With the chance to advance for the fourth consecutive year, Dobey is determined to seize this opportunity.
Following this matchup will be the famed Michael van Gerwen taking on Brendan Dolan. Van Gerwen, who is vying for his fourth world title, recently delivered a solid performance, defeating James Hurrell with relative ease, averaging 95. He is well aware of Dolan’s previous successes, including his notable win against Van Gerwen at the 2023 World Matchplay.
"It won’t be easy against Dolan. He has proven he can win against the best, and I can’t take him for granted," said Van Gerwen. The tension will be palpable as these two seasoned competitors vie for survival to advance to the next round.
Finally, Luke Littler, the championship’s teenage sensation, will face Ian White. Littler has been the talk of the tournament following his astonishing 3-1 victory over Ryan Meikle, where he set the record for the highest set average of this tournament at 140.91. Such talent draws eager eyes, making him one of the favorites. “The eyes of the British fans will be especially focused on the final match of the evening,” commented one darts analyst, acknowledging Littler's rapid rise.
White, known as 'The Diamond,' is not one to be underestimated. Recently, he edged out European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse, coming off of some strong performances of his own. With both competitors having played against each other previously, there's plenty of back-and-forth to contend with.
Adding to the excitement, Nathan Aspinall breezed through his match this afternoon, whitewashing Andrew Gilding 4-0, ensuring his advancement. Aspinall is now set to face Ricardo Pietreczko, who also won convincingly.
The total prize fund for this year’s championship has reached £2.5 million, with participants set to battle for their share of cash, including £500,000 for the eventual champion. The energy is high as players prepare to go head-to-head, and every match could lead to history being made.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, adding to the thrill of the occasion. Tonight's lineup shows promise, with Dobey against Rock leading off at 7:15 PM GMT, followed by Van Gerwen versus Dolan, around 8:30 PM GMT, and concluding with Littler taking on White at approximately 9:45 PM GMT. Every player on the oche is hungry for victory, and each game is sure to add to the rich narrative of this championship.
With high expectations and the stakes elevated, this is shaping up to be one unforgettable Saturday at the World's biggest darts stage. Tune in to see who can advance to the next round and continue their quest for darts glory!
