Fourteen seeds have exited before Christmas as the 2025 World Darts Championship continues to throw up surprises.
The year of the underdog continues on the PDC Tour as plenty of up-and-coming stars are making a name for themselves on the Ally Pally stage.
As seeds head home for Christmas early, here are five things we learned from Day Nine of the World Darts Championship.
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Ricky Evans wins classic after Dave Chisnall miscalculation
Ricky Evans and Dave Chisnall took each other to the limit in their second-round clash as their nip-and-tuck contest led to a final, sudden-death leg.
Both men averaged 94 in an incredibly competitive affair that was arguably the most engrossing match of this year’s tournament so far.
The drama was topped off after Chisnall miscounted his 139 by accidentally checking out 131 instead with a well-taken double 16.
Chizzy recovered from the setback to take the leg but lost the next one to become yet another dispatched seed.
Evans will play Robert Owen in round three.
Pikachu dumps out ‘dark horse’ Gian Van Veen
Gian Van Veen became the latest quiet favourite to exit the tournament in the early stages at the hands of Ricardo Pietreczko.
Van Veen was severely hampered by his finishing against Pikachu, hitting just 24% of his darts at double and the German made him pay.
Pietreczko has impressed in a steady way so far and looks comfortable on the Ally Pally stage. That could make him a danger as he continues deeper into the tournament.
Pietreczko set up a tie with Scott Williams in round three.
Scott Williams shines on the Ally Pally stage again
If the entire PDC Tour was played on the Alexandra Palace stage, Scott Williams would comfortably be in the top 10.
The star reached the semi-final stages of the 2024 tournament but didn’t capitalise on the momentum throughout the year. However, he’s back to his best at this year’s event.
Williams followed up his impressive win over Niko Springer by dumping out former World Champion Rob Cross in the second round.
It wasn’t vintage, but Williams got the job done with an average of 87.90 against his good friend Voltage.
The World No. 37 looks at home on the Ally Pally stage and the entertaining Englishman will be a danger to anyone he comes up against.
Jonny Clayton wins in sudden death
Jonny Clayton came through a very tough tie against European Championship semi-finalist Mickey Mansell to secure his place in round three.
The Welshman rode his luck at times, and it took a sudden-death leg to overcome an upset against his Northern Irish opponent.
Crucially, The Ferret turned on the style when he needed it most, as most top players can do, and this is exactly the sort of win that can become the backbone of World Championship runs.
Clayton plays Daryl Gurney in round three.
Josh Rock impresses against Rhys Griffin
With the likes of Wessel Nijman and Van Veen crashing out, the rising star hopes were left with Josh Rock who looked mightily impressive against Welshman Rhys Griffin.
The Northern Irish star was relentless in round two, dropping just two legs to set up a third-round tie against Chris Dobey.
Nestled inside the bottom half of the draw, Rock has a kind enough run to the deeper stages to have an impressive run at Ally Pally.