World No 2 Luke Humphries survived a scare against German Gabriel Clemens before booking his place in the World Darts Championship last 16.
World No 2 Luke Humphries survived a scare against German Gabriel Clemens before booking his place in the World Darts Championship last 16.
The 2024 champion was almost taken to a deciding set after a stunning fightback from Clemens at Alexandra Palace but held his nerve to edge through 4-2.
There was no hint of the drama to come as Humphries eased through the opening two sets and then took a tight third.
Yet a brilliant 125 checkout – bull, 25, bull – from Clemens in that third set sparked a revival which saw the underdog pull back to 3-2.
At 2-2 in the sixth set Clemens then had three darts to level the match but he was unable to take them and Humphries capitalised to finish the job.
He celebrated victory with a huge roar of relief, leaving Clemens, who averaged 101.49, to reflect on what might have been.
Humphries told Sky Sports: “When I had that double to go 3-0 up, I thought I had control and I don’t feel like I dropped off.
“Gabriel got a lot better and really made me work hard for it. If that double hadn’t gone in and it had been 3-3... I’m panicking.
“For me to get that double, you’ve seen the celebration there at the end, it means a lot. That could be the difference between being a two-time world champion and not.”
A crowd including Tottenham’s James Maddison and Ryder Cup golfers Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton also saw three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwen beat Arno Merk 4-1.
The Dutchman, who averaged 99.7, produced some of his best play at the championship so far as he overcame the in-form German to set up a clash with Scottish veteran Gary Anderson.
Van Gerwen later claimed he had not been challenged and still had plenty of room for improvement.
He said: “Was it a contest? Not for me. I played too well today [for] him. We all know what he is capable of but I played good today.
“I think I had more in my power if I wanted to, but I didn’t need it. Overall I think I played an OK game.”
Earlier two-time champion Anderson, 55, maintained his impressive form by holding his nerve in the deciding set to beat Jermaine Wattimena 4-3.
Dutchman Wattimena saved four match darts in total, while Anderson missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish in the decider before sealing a thrilling win.
Rob Cross, another past winner, thrashed Damon Heta 4-0 to book a date with reigning champion Luke Littler while Devon’s Ryan Searle beat German No 1 Martin Schindler 4-0.
Dutchman Gian van Veen underlined his credentials with a 4-1 win over Madars Razma of Latvia.
Report by Press Association
Tonight’s results
- Gian van Veen 4-1 Madars Razma
- Luke Humphries 4-2 Gabriel Clemens
- van Gerwen 4-1 Arno Merk
Van Gerwen’s reaction
Was it a contest? Not for me! No, no, I played an okay game and I think it had more in my power if I needed it. At times I played some really good darts. Overall I can’t really complain.
[On meeting Gary Anderson] Me and Gary always have good games. He’s playing some fantastic darts so I need to step up a little bit. I’m really looking forward to that game.
Van Gerwen beats Merk 4-1
Van Gerwen hits double 18 to complete a pretty good victory. He has been so much better in his last two games and, though it was far from perfect, an average of 99.70 - including nine 180s in 19 legs - is not to be sniffed at. MvG will now face Gary Anderson in the tie of the fourth round.
*Van Gerwen (3) 2-1 (1) Merk
Merk ensures Van Gerwen will have to serve it out by finishing 72 on D4.
Van Gerwen (3) 2-0 (1) Merk*
Van Gerwen is one leg away from victory. After the players trade 180s - MvG’s ninth, Merk’s second - Van Gerwen goes out on tops. He’s playing his best darts of the match and has won four legs on the bounce.
*Van Gerwen (3) 1-0 (1) Merk
Van Gerwen breaks at the start of the fifth set. He decided not to set up from 130, even though Merk was on 152. It was the right decision and he returned to hit D16 at the first attempt.
Van Gerwen wins the fourth set 3-1
That miss at bull has deflated Merk, who has a terrible leg on his own throw. Van Gerwen breezes into a 3-1 lead in both legs and sets; he’s one set away from the last 16.
Van Gerwen (2) 2-1 (1) Merk*
MvG’s hitherto excellent finishing lets him down, with two misses darts at tops. Merk can’t set up from 134 - but Van Gerwen misses three more at double!
This feels like a big leg. Merk can’t hit the bull for 94 and Van Gerwen wins the leg on D10 with his seventh attempt at a double. That was a real chance for Merk.
*Van Gerwen (2) 1-1 (1) Merk
A superb leg from both players. Van Gerwen misses bull for a break; Merk takes out 44 for a 14-dart hold. There’s a game on here.
Van Gerwen (2) 1-0 (1) Merk*
This is getting interesting. Merk misses bull for a break before Van Gerwen calms everything down by taking out 92 in two darts. That’s a superb finish under pressure.
Merk wins the third set 3-1!
A sensational set from Merk, who roars with delight after hitting D16 to break Van Gerwen and make it 2-1. He averaged 101 in that set; Van Gerwen averaged 107 and lost it handsomely.
*Van Gerwen (2) 1-2 (0) Merk
Pop pop! With Van Gerwen waiting on 50 for a break, Merk takes out a textbook 120 finish to move ahead in the third set. Two ton-plus finishes in the set for him.
Van Gerwen (2) 1-1 (0) Merk*
MvG responds by kicking off with a 180 and setting up a potential 10-darter. He can’t manage that but goes out in 11 by hitting double four. Vintage Van Gerwen.
*Van Gerwen (2) 0-1 (0) Merk
Merk, who has the darts in the third set, takes advantage of some trebleless visits from Van Gerwen to pin a superb 145 finish and hold throw in 15 darts.
A glorious 145 checkout from Arno Merk 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g1FnmjVFlf
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
Van Gerwen wins the second set 3-0
A dodgy leg from both players - but Van Gerwen hits a 180 to take control and finishes the job on D10. Despite his average dropping to 93.94 in that set, he is apparently cruising towards a humdinger against Gary Anderson in the last 16.
*Van Gerwen (1) 2-0 (0) Merk
MvG can’t set up from 121, leaving only 78, but Merk misses the bull for an 83 and Van Gerwen punishes him. He leads 5-1 in legs.
Van Gerwen (1) 1-0 (0) Merk*
Merk started slowly but is playing some good stuff now. He almost breaks at the start of set two, missing D15 for a big 150 finish, before Van Gerwen cleans up on D8.
Van Gerwen wins the first set 3-1
Merk’s first 180 puts pressure on the Van Gerwen throw. But it’s not quite enough and MvG hits D18 to take the first set against the darts with a strong average of 100.55.
*Van Gerwen (0) 2-1 (0) Merk
Merk ensures that Van Gerwen will have to serve it out by hitting his fourth attempt at double.
Van Gerwen (0) 2-0 (0) Merk*
MvG hits 180 with his first visit and pins D18 for a solid 13-dart hold. He’s into his work and one leg away from taking the first set against the darts.
*Van Gerwen (0) 1-0 Merk (0)
Arno Merk, the world No163 and the last German left in the competition after defeats today for Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler, has the darts in the first leg.
He starts very slowly, and though Van Gerwen doesn’t exactly hare out of the blocks he is able to break in 16 darts.
Michael van Gerwen v Arno Merk
Van Gerwen hasn’t been at his best this year but he played very well in beating Willie O’Connor in the previous round. Merk eliminated Peter Wright, the two-time champion who is struggling to find his old form.
Luke Humphries’ reaction
I thought I had control at 3-0. I didn’t feel like I dropped off; Gabriel got a lot better and really made me work hard. Who knows: if that double doesn’t go in, it’s 3-3 and I’m panicking! That could be the difference between me becoming a two-time world champion or not.
Gabriel was fantastic. I just found that level when I needed it, thank god. I enjoy playing in these games, they give you a bit of a boost. You’re tested. It makes you think: what’s standing here today? Is it the best version of yourself, or is it the weaker version? I found out it was the best version of myself.
Humphries beats Clemens 4-2 in a classic
What a final leg! Humphries starts with three 140s in a row; Clemens goes 140, 180 and 130 to leave 51 after nine darts.
Will he get another visit? No! Humphries finishes 81 on D13 to win a fabulous match. Gabriel Clemens was fantastic.
Luke Humphries survives a HUGE scare from Gabriel Clemens to progress to the last 16 😅 pic.twitter.com/Mfom827JTV
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
*Humphries (3) 2-2 (2) Clemens
Clemens can’t stop hitting treble 20. Humphries misses the big 20 to leave a dart at the bull - but Clemens misses three doubles for the set!
Humphries nails D16 and will now throw for the match. Goodness me.
Humphries (3) 1-2 (2) Clemens*
Clemens breaks! This is getting serious for Humphries. Clemens hits D16, last dart, to move within a leg on making it 3-3.
*Humphries (3) 1-1 (2) Clemens
With Humphries waiting on 52, Clemens hits tops to complete a 97 finish, last dart in hand. This is pulsating stuff.
Humphries (3) 1-0 (2) Clemens*
A missed opportunity for Clemens. Humphries misses five darts at double but Clemens is well behind and eventually Humphries returns to hit D5.
Clemens wins the fifth set 3-2
Clemens ignores that pressure to dominate the leg on throw and take the fifth set. This is sensational stuff - even when he reached the semis in 2022-23, Clemens may not have played as well as this.
Humphries (3) 2-2 (1) Clemens*
Humphries takes out 170! A brilliant finish with Clemens waiting on 85 for the set. And now Clemens needs to hold to stay in the tournament.
Luke Humphries reels in the BIG FISH 🎣 pic.twitter.com/s64KtruJx6
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
*Humphries (3) 1-2 (1) Clemens
Clemens just keeps on coming - he holds in 11 darts to move 2-1 up in this set.
Humphries (3) 1-1 (1) Clemens*
A solid hold for Humphries leaves him two legs from victory, at least in this set.
*Humphries (3) 0-1 (1) Clemens
Clemens makes it four legs in a row, holding throw in 15 darts after both players trade 180s.
Clemens wins the fourth set 3-0!
Clemens completes a sensational set - average 115 - by hitting 116 to break Humphries again. That was spectacular.
*Humphries (3) 0-2 (0) Clemens
With Humphries waiting on 81 for a break, Clemens pops in a bullseye to take out 121. Wow!
Clemens has a higher average than Humphries yet he’s 3-0 down. Defeat or not, this performance could reignite his career.
Humphries (3) 0-1 (0) Clemens*
Clemens ignores the disappointment of that third set to break in the first leg of the fourth. This is superb stuff now, really high quality.
Humphries wins the third set 3-2
Clemens goes off with a 140. Humphries sees that and raises it with a maximum on his first visit. He stays in control of the leg and eventually goes out in 12 darts to move within a set of the match. Fabulous darts.
Humphries (2) 2-2 (0) Clemens*
Clemens breaks! Out of nothing, Clemens is throwing for the set. It was a sensational leg: 140, 180, 140 to set up a majestic 11-darter.
*Humphries (2) 2-1 (0) Clemens
Clemens stops the rot with a brilliant 125 finish: bull, 25, bull. Pick that out!
A magical 125 checkout from Gabriel Clemens 🪄 pic.twitter.com/8yYfxBl0SS
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
Humphries (2) 2-0 (0) Clemens*
Humphries misses the bull for an 88 but has time to return and clean up on D8. After a poor first set, he’s in complete control now.
*Humphries (2) 1-0 (0) Clemens
Humphries hits 70 to break in the first leg of the third set. It feels like this is heading for a clean sweep.
Humphries wins the second set 3-1
Clemens misses one dart at D16 to hold. Humphries hits his first dart at the same double to break and take the set. That was much more like it from Humphries, whose average jumped from 89 in set one to 109 in set two.
Humphries (1) 2-1 (0) Clemens*
Humphries is into his work now. He starts with 140 and 180 on throw; despite a couple of missed doubles, the rest is a formality.
*Humphries (1) 1-1 (0) Clemens
Clemens’ form has fallen off a cliff in the last year of two but he’s started well tonight. After a comfortable hold of throw, including his second 180, his match average sits at 95.
Humphries (1) 1-0 (0) Clemens*
Humphries starts the second set with a punishing 12-darter on his own throw, including his first 180 of the match.
Humphries wins the first set 3-1
Clemens has started legs well, only to lose his way with his third and fourth visits. It’s the same again here and Humphries hits D16 to take the set against the darts.
He wasn’t at his best - in fact his average was just shy of 90 - but he did the right things at the right moments.
Luke Humphries wins the opening set against Gabriel Clemens 😎 pic.twitter.com/HJrZ7Gzgne
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
*Humphries (0) 2-1 (0) Clemens
Humphries breaks Clemens starts with a 180 on his own throw. But then he makes a Horlicks of the leg, missing big numbers a and then doubles. Humphries punishes him and will throw for the set.
Humphries (0) 1-1 (0) Clemens*
Clemens has started pretty well. He leaves 72 on the Humphries throw after 12 darts - but Humphries hits tops with his first attempt to make it all-square.
*Humphries (0) 0-1 (0) Clemens
Plenty of German fans in tonight, and Gabriel Clemens gets them going by hitting his first dart at D16 to hold throw in leg one.
The walk-on
Luke Humphries continues his bid for a second world title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qCQAOueZhe
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens
Right now the 2024 champion Luke Humphries is clearly the second best player in the world, and the second best Luke. He should be too good for the German Gabriel Clemens, a talented player - and semi-finalists three years ago - who has lost his way this year. But Clemens has beaten some fine players on this stage, including the reigning champion Peter Wright (2020-21) and an earmuff-sporting Gerwyn Price (2022-23)
Gian van Veen beats Madars Razma 4-1
Van Veen completes a comfortable win with a spectacular 125 finish on D16. He lost his way in the fourth set but overall it was a strong performance, with a three-dart average of 97.91. Van Veen will now play Ricky Evans or Charlie Manby in the last 16.
Gian van Veen wins in style!
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
The Dutchman defeats Madars Razma 4-1 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Ft5cKTAGFp
*Van Veen (3) 2-0 (1) Razma
Van Veen breaks Razma misses a shot at the bull for a 118. Van Veen has his number tonight: he hits tops and will now throw for the match.
Van Veen (3) 1-0 (1) Razma*
Van Veen has the darts in this set and will expect to get the job done. He holds in 18 darts, not a brilliant start to the set but it’ll do.
Razma wins the fourth set 3-0
If you saw that coming, you’re a liar. Madars Razma hits another 180 and holds throw to sweep the fourth set. Van Veen’s average dropped to 84.27 in that set - but Razma was good enough to take advantage.
Game on? 🤔
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
Madars Razma reduces the deficit against Gian van Veen 👀 pic.twitter.com/bxwLwiWCei
Van Veen (3) 0-2 (0) Razma*
Suddenly Razma is throwing for the set. Van Veen had a poor leg on his own throw, and Razma’s early visits were good enough that he could away with a visit of 20. He made a meal of it but a confident throw at tops earned him the break.
*Van Veen (3) 0-1 (0) Razma
Razma celebrates sarcastically after hitting his second 180 of the match. He almost busts on 120, then misses tops, but has time to return and end a run of five straight legs for Van Veen. Well played.
Van Veen wins the third set 3-0
And he leads 9-2 in legs as well. His scoring is too heavy for Razma - he started with a 180 once again - and apart from a brief wobble he has been fine on the doubles. His first attempt at tops moves him within one set of victory.
*Van Veen (2) 2-0 (0) Razma
Van Veen breaks A poor start from Razma is punished by Van Veen, who begins a leg with four perfect darts for the third time tonight. Eventually he breaks in 11 darts, the best leg of the night I think, and will throw for a three-set lead.
Van Veen (2) 1-0 (0) Razma*
Razma dominates the leg on the Van Veen throw. But when he misses two darts for a break, Van Veen cleans up 80 on D10. This game is getting away from Madars Razma.
Van Veen wins the second set 3-1
Van Veen turns up the heat, holding in 13 darts to move two sets ahead. The averages diverged in that set: 100.88 for Van Veen, 84.25 for Razma.
Gian van Veen doubles his lead against Madars Razma 📈 pic.twitter.com/O5wzgun6QD
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
*Van Veen (1) 2-1 (0) Razma
Three breaks in a row and Van Veen is throwing for a two-set lead. No missed doubles this time; he hit D8 at the first attempt.
Van Veen (1) 1-1 (0) Razma*
Razma breaks back! Van Veen starts with four perfect darts for the second leg in a row. But he is starting to miss doubles, including three more in this leg, and Razma hits D10 for an instant break back.
"Madders watching Madars" 🤣
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
James Maddison watching on at Ally Pally 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TeTebRcAru
*Van Veen (1) 1-0 (0) Razma
Back-to-back breaks for Van Veen, but this one is more meaningful because it’s against the throw in the second set.
Both players started with 180s before Van Veen took control of the second. He misses one dart at a double, Razma wired tops for a 160 and Van Veen returned to hit D2, last dart in hand.
Van Veen wins the first set 3-1
Van Veen breaks A scruffy leg from both players. Van Veen has the edge on the scoring but then loses his way, allowing Razma the first shot at double. He misses tops, hitting D1 instead, and Van Veen punishes him on the same double to take the first set.
The averages for that set were pretty decent:
- 98.57 Van Veen
- 98.16 Razma
Gian van Veen takes the opening set ✅ pic.twitter.com/9oX4YvChc5
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2025
Van Veen (0) 2-1 (0) Razma*
Razma has made a really good start. He’s waiting on 76 when Van Veen takes care of 89 with a dart to spare: T17, D16. Lovely darts.
*Van Veen (0) 1-1 (0) Razma
A fabulous response from Razma, who finishes 109 on D16 for a 12-dart hold.
Van Veen (0) 1-0 (0) Razma*
Razma misses a dart at the bull for an early break. Van Veen should have held comfortably, having left 24 after four visits, but he missed three at double before returning for a 16-darter.
Gian van Veen v Madars Razma
Van Veen has the highest average of the tournament so far, 108.28 in his victory over Alan Soutar in the previous round. Before this year he’d never won a match on the Ally Pally stage. But he is a serious talent who won his first major, the European Championship, in October.
Madars Razma is a solid player whose current world ranking of 46 is the highest of his career. You’d expect Van Veen to be too good for him, but we’ve already lost five of the top ten seeds, so who knows.
Good evening
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, leg-by-leg coverage of a big night at the PDC World Championship. There are two former champions and a potential future champion in action.
Gian van Veen, the current world youth champion and third favourite to win this competition, takes on Madars Razma in the opening match of the night. That’s followed by Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens and Michael van Gerwen v Arno Merk.
Van Veen, Humphries and Van Gerwen are all odds-on favourites to go through to the last 16 – but this has been a tournament of shocks and no one will be taking anything for granted. Humphries will be especially wary against Clemens, who reached the semi-finals at Ally Pally.
First up it is Van Veen (world No 10) against Latvia’s Razma (No 46). They will be on the oche in around 15 minutes; all tonight’s games are the best of seven sets.
The highlight of the afternoon session was a minor classic between Gary Anderson and Jermaine Wattimena. Anderson won 4-3, pummelling the treble 20 en route, and will face either Van Gerwen or Merk in the last 16.
Category: General Sports
