Paddy Power World Darts Championship: Five of the best pre-Christmas games

Luke Littler (Simon O'Connor/PDC)

Following nine days of thrilling action at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, the second round concluded at London's Alexandra Palace on December 23.

The sport's showpiece event has provided no shortage of memorable moments so far this year, with 11 seeds crashing out - including two-time winner Peter Wright and World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall.

Teenage sensation Luke Littler has stolen plenty of headlines with his record-breaking exploits in the capital, but many of the sport's biggest names are still in the hunt to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy, including reigning champion Michael Smith.

The remaining 32 players will continue their title bids when the tournament resumes on Wednesday December 27, but before that, we've picked out five of the best matches from the tournament so far...

1. Littler creates history

Luke Littler (PDC)

Teenage sensation Luke Littler enjoyed a dream World Championship debut, producing the highest ever average from a debutant on the World Championship stage.

The newly crowned World Youth Champion fired in seven 180s against former Lakeside Champion Christian Kist, pinning 50% of his attempts at double to prevail in straight sets with a staggering 106.12 average.

The 16-year-old - the fourth youngest player to compete on the World Championship stage - conceded just two legs over the course of the match, and all eyes will be on the Warrington superstar when he faces Matt Campbell for a place in round four after Christmas.

2. Hempel's heroic fightback

Florian Hempel (PDC)

Florian Hempel survived three match darts as he fought back from the brink to defeat Dimitri Van den Bergh for the second time in three years on the sport's biggest stage.

Van den Bergh punished a sluggish start from the German to lead 2-0, but after halving the deficit in set three, Hempel followed up skin-saving 151 and 84 finishes with a magical ten-darter to set up a fifth and decisive set.

Hempel landed a second consecutive ten-darter to strike first in set five, and he maintained his rampant run to complete an astonishing fightback, which also ensures he will retain his PDC Tour Card in 2024.

3. Magnificent Man Lok

Man Lok Leung (PDC)

Hong Kong's Man Lok Leung caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament with a sensational comeback victory against World Youth Championship runner-up Gian van Veen in round one.

European Championship semi-finalist Van Veen asserted his dominance to take an early two-set lead, before Leung responded by winning six of the next eight legs to level the game at two sets apiece.

Leung began set five on the front foot, hitting a brace of 180s to take his tally into double figures, and with Van Veen unable to exert enough pressure against the throw, the Hong Kong newcomer completed an incredible triumph.

4. Campbell claims Wade scalp

Matt Campbell (PDC)

Canada's number one Matt Campbell has broken new ground at Alexandra Palace this year, after recovering from 2-1 down in sets to dump out four-time semi-finalist James Wade in a dramatic second round clash.

Campbell arrived in the capital on the back of four consecutive opening round exits at the World Championship, but after edging out Lourence Ilagan in a five-set thriller, 'The Ginga Ninja' repeated the feat to send Wade packing.

Wade converted a trio of ton-plus finishes during a high-quality affair, but Campbell grew in stature as the contest progressed, winning six of the last seven legs to progress with a 96 average.

5. Defiant Dolan denies Mansell

Brendan Dolan (PDC)

Brendan Dolan won through a marathon 78-minute contest against his former World Cup partner Mickey Mansell to set up a fascinating third round showdown against 2021 champion Gerwyn Price.

Mansell won 15 legs to Dolan's 13, boasted a higher average, landed more 180s and registered a better doubling percentage, but it wasn't enough to topple 2019 quarter-finalist Dolan.

There was little to separate the pair throughout a captivating tie, but it was Dolan who prevailed in a sudden-death leg, after Mansell had forced a last-leg shoot-out with a majestic 148 checkout.

Written by Josh Gorton & Connor Wagner.