Darts results: Paul Lim claims a sensational victory on his 25th World Championship appearance

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EVENING SESSION

Paul Lim created another magic darting moment on his 25th World Championship appearance as he claimed a stunning 3-2 comeback victory over Luke Humphries.

The 66-year-old Singapore legend, who made his Lakeside debut way back in 1983 before hitting the first ever nine-darter in World Championship history seven years later, found himself two sets down as he struggled to find his usual ageless rhythm and missed seven attempts at doubles.

But not for the first time in his long distinguished career, Lim defied the ageing process in style by rattling off the next three sets to seal his first win on this stage since the 2018 edition, when he beat Mark Webster before famously going agonisingly close to an perfect leg against Gary Anderson.

Just like he did in his previous four matches on this stage - including the three defeats - the 'Singapore Slinger' managed to average around 90 which further highlights his inspiring determination to improve and achieve new feats in this sport.

Humphries, who had reached the quarter-finals in each of the last two years, looked well on course for an easy night's work when his superior scoring power a checkout of 103 sealed the second set 3-1 but then it was his turn to falter on the outer ring in the third, losing it 3-1 despite a fine finish of 108.

The 2019 World Youth champion flew out of the blocks in the fourth and although he was pegged back by Lim's high checkout of 121, he still edged 2-1 ahead after more missed doubles from his opponent and was now throwing for the match.

His first opportunity at tops came and went as Lim made him pay by forcing a decider, which he won with a clinical finish from 84.

The Newbury star looked unfazed when opening up the final set with an 11-dart leg, including his sixth of seven 180s in the match but Lim hit back with a 14-darter before pinching a dramatic third leg when Humphries spurned seven darts to seize the initiative.

Cool Hand fired in scores of 100, 140 and 180 to leave himself 81 to save the match but he missed his last dart in hand at double 13, leaving Lim to snatch an incredible victory with a 14-darter.

Lim told www.pdc.tv: "I kept telling myself to pressure him [Humphries] after losing the first set. I dug deep and it paid off. He was very good in the first set and I knew that if I didn't apply pressure then everything would come easy for him and I would be out. 

"I felt really prepared for the match and I am glad that I managed to produce a good game and get the win. I have spent a lot of time on the dartboard in what has been a very difficult time for the whole world.

"I'm really grateful that the PDC put on a qualifier and that I won it and got the chance to be here. I'm very happy to take that chance. This is one for the old guys."

James Wade got his quest to win a first world title up and running with a 3-0 victory over Callan Rydz for the loss of just three legs but in truth his task was made easier by a poor performance from his opponent.

The three-time semi-finalist, who is widely fancied to go far having reached two major finals this winter, averaged 93.17 compared to Rydz's lowly 78 while he also hit all three 180s in the match and hit the highest checkout of 100.

Wade converted almost 50% of his doubles along the way while Rydz spurned seven of his 10 attempts, including three set darts in the second.

"I was fortunate to get a shot at the 100 but it was a good shot at a good time," said Wade. "I have a renewed enthusiasm for darts. I have a lot of good people around me and I'm in a good place at the moment.

"If I play my best game then I will win this tournament quite comfortably." 

Dirk van Duijvenbode had to produce a stunning comeback from two sets down to survive a real scare against rising star Bradley Brooks in the opening round.

The World Grand Prix runner-up, who also rivalled Peter Wright and Chengan Liu with a walk-on featuring a trademark aubergine and his heavy techno music, had his early entrance smile wiped off his face by the World Youth champion in the early stages.

Brooks was averaging over 107 when he blitzed through the first set 3-0 in a matter of minutes and he soon doubled his lead as the Dutchman struggled to get going.

Suddenly, however, van Duijvenbode upped his game as Brooks levels began to come down, taking the next set 3-1 with the help of a 12-darter and the fourth 3-0 to force a decider.

The aubergine farmer, who has also reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship and Players Championship Finals during a real breakthrough season, maintained the momentum by whitewashing the set and finished the match with an average of 92.57 and five 180s.

"I never thought I was out of it because I never think about what my opponent is doing. I just concentrate on myself," said Van Duijvenbode, who will take on Rob Cross in round two on Tuesday. 

"I started off a lot worse than I expected to play and it made me really angry, which seemed to make me play well."

The other match in the evening saw John Henderson battle through a war of darting attrition with Finland's Marko Kantele.

The popular Highlander's average of 91 was considerably higher than his opponent's 79 and hit six of the eight 180s in the match but he'd miss key doubles at crucial times as Kantele won two deciding legs to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 down.

However, Hendo eventually hauled himself over the finishing line to set up a clash with Jonny Clayton on Sunday.

"I couldn't get going on stage. I've won but I was awful," said Henderson. "It was terrible at times but I did enough to get through and that's what it is all about. The first round is always difficult so I'm happy to get through.

"I'll have to be better against Jonny in the next round but I have done okay here the last few years and it will be a different game, I'm sure." 

AFTERNOON SESSION

Chengan Liu may have only won two legs in his first World Championship since 2006, but the Chinese qualifier still managed to raise the roof in an empty Alexandra Palace with a memorable walk-on.

The 47-year-old's entrance to Westlife's 'You Raise Me Up' sparked much hilarity on social media, with the video soaring to over 300,000 views on Twitter and attracting thousands of likes, comfortably eclipsing the number managed by Peter Wright walking on as the Grinch on opening night.

As far as his actual performance against Darius Labanauskas was concerned, he could only manage an average of 79 in a crushing 3-0 defeat but he did manage a 124 checkout in the opening set.

Darius Labanauskas, who was a surprise quarter-finalist last year, posted an impressive average of 96, threw three 180s compared to his opponent's two, pinned half of his double attempts and also weighed in with a 122 finish.

The Lithuanian will now meet Simon Whitlock in the second round.

Jamie Hughes became the first seeded player to crash out of this year's World Championship as an elbow injury contributed to a disastrous performance against Adam Hunt, who cruised to a 3-0 victory for the loss of just two legs.

The 28th seed from Tipton, who will have an elbow operation next month, averaged just 75.36 and only managed three attempts at a double - although his 67 checkout in the second set was the highest of the match.

Hunt, who overcame Lisa Ashton in a thrilling clash on Wednesday night, averaged 91.77, threw four 180s and pinned nine of his 26 attempts at the outer ring.

"I think the game against Lisa really helped me. I felt really well prepared for this one," said Hunt.

"Jamie wasn't at his best but I feel like I kept my focus and played quite well. I'm happy to be through and looking forward to enjoying Christmas with my family before coming back for the third round. I will be putting in some practice at home."

Wayne Jones claimed his first Ally Pally win since 2012 after a battling 3-2 victory over Ireland's Ciaran Teehan in which both players averaged in the mid 80s.

The 55-year-old, from Wolverhampton, who reached the semi-finals way back in 2006, fell at the first hurdle in each of his last four visits here but defied the ageing process against a player 34 years his junior.

Jones won the first set 3-0 but then lost the next 3-2 despite big finishes of 143 and 118 as Teehan fought back. The next two were shared before Jones cruised through the decider without the loss of a leg.

Mickey Mansell reeled off nine consecutive legs against New Zealand's Haupai Puha to claim his first ever victory on the Alexandra Palace stage.

The Northern Irishman closed out the first whitewash win of this year's tournament to set up a second round meeting with Ricky Evans.

World Darts Championship: Friday's results & Saturday schedule

Friday December 18
Afternoon Session (1200 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

• Mickey Mansell (93.94) 3-0 (79.72) Haupai Puha (R1) (3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
• Darius Labanauskas (96.07) 3-0 (79.57) Chengan Liu (R1) (3-1, 3-1, 3-0)
• Wayne Jones (86.18) 3-2 (86.31) Ciaran Teehan (R1) (3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0)
• Jamie Hughes (75.36) 0-3 (92.55) Adam Hunt (R2) (0-3, 1-3, 1-3)

Evening Session (1800 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

• Dirk van Duijvenbode (92.57) 3-2 (92.7) Bradley Brooks (R1) (0-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0)
• John Henderson (91.09) 3-2 (79.69) Marko Kantele (R1) (3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
• Luke Humphries (92.28) 2-3 (89.77) Paul Lim (R1) (3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 1-3)
• James Wade (93.17) 3-0 (78.05) Callan Rydz (R2) (3-0, 3-2, 3-1)

Saturday December 19
Afternoon Session (1200 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

• Steve Lennon v Daniel Larsson (R1)
• Scott Waites v Matt Campbell (R1)
• Kim Huybrechts v Di Zhuang (R1)
• Mervyn King v Max Hopp (R2)

Evening Session (1800 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

• Andy Hamilton v Nico Kurz (R1)
• Andy Boulton v Deta Hedman (R1)
• Damon Heta v Danny Baggish (R1)
• Michael van Gerwen v Murray/Ilagan (R2)

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