Former champion Luke Humphries had a scare but managed to reach the fourth round of the PDC World Championship after beating Germany’s Gabriel Clemens 4-2. Humphries, who won the 2024 title by defeating Luke Littler, raced into a 3-0 lead before Clemens fought back to make it 3-2. Clemens missed chances to force a deciding set, allowing Humphries to close out the match. He will now face Nathan Aspinall or Kevin Doets.
Three-time winner Michael van Gerwen also progressed, beating German debutant Arno Merk 4-1. Although Merk briefly threatened a comeback, Van Gerwen stepped up his game and will next play two-time champion Gary Anderson.
Anderson edged a dramatic final-set win over Jermaine Wattimena earlier in the day, while 2018 winner Rob Cross cruised past Australia’s Damon Heta 4-0 and will face defending champion Luke Littler next.
Elsewhere, Gian van Veen beat Madars Razma 4-1, and Ryan Searle reached the fourth round for the first time since 2021 with a dominant 4-0 win over Martin Schindler.
