Peter Wright has bullishly declared that he will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship title for a third time in January.
Wright will resume his title challenge at London’s Alexandra Palace on Tuesday afternoon, as he takes on German debutant Arno Merk for a place in round three.
Merk dumped out Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in the opening match of the tournament, while Wright ran out a straight-sets winner against Women’s Series qualifier Noa-Lynn van Leuven to kick off his campaign.
However, Wright was disappointed with his performance against Dutch star Van Leuven, averaging 83.51 despite converting nine of his 16 attempts at a double.
“I wanted to go up there and perform,” admitted Wright, who lifted the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy in 2019/2020 and 2021/22 respectively.
“When you’re playing brilliantly in practice, you feel unbeatable.
“You say to yourself: ‘Why is it not happening up there?’ It’s crazy. I can’t explain it.
“I know that best version of myself is still there. That’s why I’m still here. I know I’m going to win it.”
Wright has endured arguably one of the toughest years of his career, slipping to world number 30 after failing to progress beyond the last 16 of any televised ranking event in 2025.
The Scot’s last quarter-final appearance in a PDC Premier event came at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, when he rolled back the years to end Luke Humphries' hopes of back-to-back titles.
The 55-year-old is hoping to emulate those heroics on his return to North London, as he sets his sights on a potential showdown against his great rival Michael van Gerwen in round three.
Wright won their most recent clash on the Alexandra Palace stage in the 2019/20 final, and he would relish the opportunity to renew his rivalry with the Dutch superstar.
“I want to play Michael van Gerwen, but he’s got to win, and I’ve got to win my next game,” conceded Wright.
“I would love that for the TV and the crowd. I think it would be an amazing game.
“I want to beat Michael and then I want to play Gary Anderson - one of the smoothest throws in the world.
“I’ve already achieved the impossible. Yes you want to achieve it again, but these youngsters that haven’t achieved it yet, they’ve got so much fire in their belly.
“It would be the greatest achievement in my darting career if I could win a third world title, but I can’t look too far ahead, and first I’ve got to get through Arno Merk.”
2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Tuesday December 23
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Jonny Tata v Ryan Meikle
Daryl Gurney v Callan Rydz
Jermaine Wattimena v Scott Williams
Peter Wright v Arno Merk
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Danny Noppert v Justin Hood
Gary Anderson v Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen v William O'Connor
Josh Rock v Joe Comito
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