World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Latest as Gary Anderson THRASHED, Dimitri van den Bergh wins his clash – updates
THE World Darts Championship action is has brought more drama today as former two-time champion Gary Anderson has been dumped OUT.
Jeffrey De Graaf beat Anderon 3-0, while seeds Ross Smith and Martin Schindler were also dumped out by unseeded players in Paolo Nebrida and Callan Rydz.
Teen sensation Littler, 17, started his darts campaign with a superb win over Ryan Meikle - but then had to cut short an interview after breaking down in tears.
- Start time: From 12.40pm GMT
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- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
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Wessel Nijman 1-0 Cameron Carolissen* (LEGS: 1-1)
Well that should settle the nerves somewhat.
In a leg where his opponent hits a maximum, Carolissen hits the double to claw a leg back.
This could be the platform he needs now.
Wessel Nijman* 1-0 Cameron Carolissen (LEGS: 1-0)
Nijman is well and truly in control of this leg.
Some of his darts let him down but he hits the double to take the leg.
Caolissen needs to find some form sooner rather than later here.
Wessel Nijman 1-0 Cameron Carolissen* (LEGS: 3-0)
Four times now Carolissen has gone for the bull and hit it every time.
Nijman misses four darts at double to win the leg but then Carolissen cannot take advantage.
Carolissen eventually takes the leg to move into a one set lead.
Wessel Nijman* 0-0 Cameron Carolissen (LEGS: 2-0)
Nijman has to pick himself up once again after that leg.
He was in such a strong position to win the leg against the throw.
Carolissen has 88 remaining and hits single 20, single 18 and then has the audacity to hit the bullseye to take another leg.
Wessel Nijman 0-0 Cameron Carolissen* (LEGS: 1-0)
What a start by Nijman as he hits a maximum with his first three darts.
He gets down to the double first but misses all three darts.
Carolissen has 139 remaining and knocks it off for a superb outshot.
Wessel Nijman v Cameron Carolissen
It is South Africa versus Netherlands in this next match.
Both players will be keen to book their place in the second round.
Nijman looks in confident mood as he absorbs the Ally Pally atmosphere walking into the arena.
Alexander Merkx beats Stephen Burton 3-0
Stephen Burton* 0-3 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 1-3)
The Dutchman keeps his cool and books his place in the next round.
You can see the passion as he sends his dart into the double as he fist pumps the air.
That was a convincing victory for Alexander Merkx.
Stephen Burton 0-2 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 1-2)
Burton just cannot match the standards his opponent is churning out.
Merkx outscores him once again and has some breathing space on a finish.
Hitting the double, his now one leg away from victory.
Stephen Burton* 0-2 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 1-1)
That is a solid reply from Merkx.
Before Burton can even think of staging a comeback he wins the leg by hitting double 8 to immediately break back.
He looks as though he wants to put this match to bed.
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran seems to be enjoying the darts at Ally Pally.
Credit: PA Stephen Burton 0-2 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 1-0)
Burton looks to try and claw his way back into this match.
He outscores Merkx and gets the chance of a double against the throw.
Stephen Burton takes out double tops with his first dart to win the first leg of the third set.
Stephen Burton 0-2 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 1-3)
Merkx gets down to a finish first with the throw.
He misses seven darts at a double to take the set.
Fortunately, Burton cannot capiitalise and Merkx seals the second set.
It looks a long way back now for Burton.
Stephen Burton* 0-1 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 1-2)
Burton manages to find some darts to save the second set.
He takes out double 16 with Merkx struggling to get to a finish.
No room for error now with his opponent on the cusp of taking a two set lead.
Stephen Burton 0-1 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 0-2)
Burton needs to do something to stop the rot here.
Merkx is getting better with each leg whereas Burton's average seems to be going down.
Merkx takes the double out with his opponent nowhere near a finish.
Stephen Burton* 0-1 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 0-1)
Merkx hits another maximum to heap the pressure on.
Burton cannot find a reply and Merkx has the chance to win the leg against the throw once again.
With 58 remaining, he hits 18 and then takes out double top with his first dart.
Stephen Burton* 0-1 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 1-3)
Burton is struggling to find his groove in this first set.
Merkx is hetting some good numbers and set himself up with the chance to win the leg against the throw.
He takes his double out and moves into a one-set lead in this opening match.
Stephen Burton 0-0 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 1-2)
Burton struggles to get big scores in this leg and leaves his oponent plenty of time on the double.
It is a scrappy leg from Merkx as he misses plenty of darts at the double.
He eventually takes it out before Burton can get a look in.
Stephen Burton* 0-0 Alexander Merkx (LEGS: 1-1)
Merkx registers his first maximum of the match in this leg.
He gets down to a double first but misses the chance to win against the throw.
Burton takkes out 100 to ensure he stays in touch in this set.
Stephen Burton 0-0 Alexander Merkx* (LEGS: 0-1)
Both players start regularly hitting triple figure scores.
They both get a sight of the double but it is Merkx who, after hitting single 20, takes out doublle 10 to win the leg.
That will relieve some of the pressure for the debutant.
Stephen Burton vs Alexander Merkx
Merkx enters the Ally Pally arena for his first appearance.
It will all be about how he handles the pressure of the big occasion.
Burton will be hoping to put in impressive performance in front of the cameras today.
Ally Pally ready for more action
We saw one of the best matches of this years tournament as Kevin Doets and Michael Smith went into their final set last night.
They produced insane levels of quality as they both looked to get the two leg gap to take the match.
Unbelievably, it was the Dutchman who knocked out the fotmer world champion to set up the biggest shock so far.
Up next - Stephen Burton vs Alexander Merkx
Let's play darts.
Action is just minutes away at Ally Pally, where a boisterous Friday crowd is already making itself heard.
Bertie vs The Great to get this packed schedule underway. Game on.
Credit: PA Ryd it out
Callan Rydz has declared he's not going to change for anyone - after putting in the performance of his career.
The 26-year-old needed just 15 minutes to see off Croatian wildcard Romeo Grbavac at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.
Asked after the match if his emotion sometimes gets the better of him, Rydz replied: "Yeah, definitely, but that’s me as a person.
"I’m a fruitcake, I’ll happily admit it. I’m an absolute nutcase."
Credit: Alamy Order of play
A huge Friday in store at the Palace - what a way to cap off a brilliant first week.
We've eight matches on the slate, with a host of big names in action.
Afternoon session (12.40pm)
- Stephen Burton vs Alexander Merkx (R1)
- Wessel Nijman vs Cameron Carolissen (R1)
- Ian White vs Sandro Eric Sosing (R1)
- Stephen Bunting vs Kai Gotthardt (R2)
Evening session (7pm)
- Mickey Mansell vs Tomoya Goto (R1)
- Florian Hempel vs Jeffrey De Zwaan (R1)
- William O’Connor vs Dylan Slevin (R1)
- Michael van Gerwen vs James Hurrell (R2)
Credit: Getty First match up
The countdown is on to the first match of the day, with play getting going around 12.40pm.
Stephen 'Bertie' Burton takes on Alexander 'The Great' Merkx in an intriguing round one matchup.
Merkx enters the tournament in fairly dismal form, having lost his last five matches across all competitions.
World No. 64 Burton has never made it past the first round in this event - Scott Dobey awaits the winner in R2.
