It only took two days but the upsets have already started at the World Darts Championship.
New faces are thriving, young stars are proving their worth, and the old guard is faltering as the biggest tournament in darts continues to deliver the drama in bucket loads.
Eight matches took place on Day Two of the Alexandra Palace event, which didn’t disappoint. Here are five things we learned from the second day of action.
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Jermaine Wattimena could be a dark horse
It’s a testament to Jermaine Wattimena’s development over the last few months that his decisive victory over James Wade wasn’t a shock.
James Wade’s dire World Darts Championship form continued as he was dumped out in the second round yet again as The Machine remains without a win at the World Championship since New Year’s Day 2022.
This one was all about the Dutchman’s immense scoring ability, however, as the Machine Gun averaged 99.17 as victory never looked in doubt.
This was Wattimena’s second major victory over Wade after dumping him out of the European Championships on his way to the final.
Wattimena will play either Peter Wright or Wesley Plaisier in the third round at Alexandra Palace.
Gerwyn Price teases return to form
Gerwyn Price’s opening-round match against Keane Barry looked like a potential banana skin in the main event of Monday’s evening session.
Barry was inspired in his first-round match against Kim Huybrechts with a 100+ average and 50% doubling, but that form deserted him against the 2021 World Darts Champion.
Nevertheless, Price put Barry to the sword and looked in impressive form after a so-so 2024 in which a ranking title evaded him.
Price looked more relaxed than he’s looked all year and he’ll be a danger to anyone he comes across in this form.
Cameron Menzies breaks down during Leonard Gates defeat
In one of the shocks of the tournament so far, Cameron Menzies was dumped out by World No. 130 Leonard Gates.
Backed by a raucous Alexandra Palace crowd, Gates stunned the Scotsman with supreme finishing and steady scoring ability.
The writing was on the wall for Menzies when Gates captured the first set with two 100+ finishes and a bullseye out and the ‘Soulger’ didn’t let up from there.
Menzies, meanwhile, was uncharacteristically off the pace as his scoring deserted him and the crowd seemed to get under his skin.
Towards the end of the final set, Menzies was overcome with emotion and it was a sorry sight to see. The fans in attendance continued to get on his back and it was a nasty way to exit the competition.
Kai Gotthardt overcomes bizarre darts struggle to win on debut
The World Darts Championship always throws up some surprises and creates new stars and that was the case when Kai Gotthardt knocked out Alan Soutar on his debut.
Gotthardt recovered from his dart snapping in half to defeat the Scotsman 3-1 in stunningly cool style in his first match on the Ally Pally stage.
The German qualified looks a real player and his nerves of steel will come in handy if he’s to continue his ascent through the tournament.
Connor Scutt announces himself on the big stage
Connor Scutt continued his excellent end to the year by sweeping aside Ben Robb in straight sets in his second appearance at Ally Pally.
The Sniper looked comfortably throughout against an out-of-sorts Robb as Scutt’s 102 average and 56% on doubles was one of the performances of the tournament so far.
Scutt will play his ‘good friend’ Damon Heta in round two and if he can replicate his first-round form there’s every chance he’ll give the Aussie a fright.