Gary Anderson dispatched his great rival Michael van Gerwen to continue his pursuit of a third Paddy Power World Darts Championship title on Tuesday, as Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen also set up a blockbuster quarter-final tussle at Alexandra Palace.
The final day of darting action in 2025 saw round four draw to a close in the capital, as Jonny Clayton, Justin Hood and Krzysztof Ratajski completed the quarter-final line-up.
However, Anderson stole the headlines on a bumper day of action, as the Scottish stalwart inflicted Van Gerwen’s earliest exit at the World Championship for a decade.
The two-time World Champion won each of the opening two sets in deciding legs to establish a commanding buffer, following up a 14-darter in the opener with a two-dart 78 kill to double his lead.
Van Gerwen halved the deficit with a sensational third set rearguard – averaging north of 116 in the process – only for Anderson to win six of the next eight legs to complete a famous victory.
“Tonight was one of these games where I never felt comfortable up there,” admitted Anderson, despite averaging 99 and crashing in 11 maximums.
“The last time Michael beat me on this stage was when I was going for my third world title, so it was nice to get the win today.
“If I get to the final, then I’ve got a chance. If I don’t get there, then I’ve had a good run, but I’m happy with what I’ve done.”
Anderson will now take on the tournament’s surprise package Hood in the quarter-finals, after the debutant celebrated an astonishing straight-sets demolition of Josh Rock earlier in the day.
Hood captured the hearts of the Alexandra Palace crowd with one of the best displays of finishing in World Championship history, pinning each of his first 11 darts at double to topple the Northern Irishman.
“My doubles were amazing there. Josh gave me some chances and I took them,” reflected Hood, who averaged 101.18 and sealed the deal with a brilliant 119 checkout.
“My scoring was amazing in practice but my doubles were a little ropey, so I had an hour focusing on doubles and it paid off!"
Humphries and Van Veen will also renew their rivalry in the quarter-finals, after overcoming Kevin Doets and Charlie Manby respectively to continue their bids to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Van Veen edged out Humphries to claim his maiden televised title in October’s European Championship, and he’s now eyeing a fifth consecutive win over the world number two.
Nevertheless, Humphries was imperious in his 4-1 success against Doets, averaging 103 and winning 12 of the last 14 legs to cap off a dominant display.
“I felt like I played well there,” declared Humphries – one of three World Champions left standing in North London.
“I do feel like there is that next level with me which is important, because you are going to need that level in you to win the World Championship.
“The next round against Gian is going to be a great game of darts. I love him to bits, he is such a good player and I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
Van Veen also ran out a comprehensive 4-1 winner against debutant Manby, averaging almost 99 to progress to a fourth televised ranking quarter-final of the year.
There was nothing to separate the pair after two sets, but Van Veen grew into the contest, producing 132 and 88 checkouts on the bullseye to clinch sets three and four respectively.
“My record against Luke is a confidence boost going into that game of course,” claimed Van Veen, who is determined to break new ground in the capital.
“Playing in a World Championship quarter-final is a different animal and I am going to be ready for that game.
“Hopefully I can bring my A-game because it is going to be necessary.”
Elsewhere, Poland’s number one Ratajski insisted ‘anything is possible’ after setting up a clash against reigning champion Luke Littler on New Year’s Day.
Ratajski advanced to his second World Championship quarter-final courtesy of a 4-2 success against Luke Woodhouse, who missed double 12 for a nine-darter earlier in the contest.
“It’s the biggest challenge you can imagine,” conceded Ratajski, who also reached the last eight in 2020/21.
“He’s the best player in the world, he’s the World Champion, but in sport, anything is possible!”
Clayton, meanwhile, ended the run of Swedish star Andreas Harrysson in a gruelling six-set affair, recovering from 2-1 adrift to book a meeting against Ryan Searle for a place in the semi-finals.
Harrysson landed a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts to threaten a major upset, only to spurn seven darts to win the penultimate set, and Clayton duly capitalised to complete a comeback win.
“That meant everything to me. I haven’t been that nervous for a very long time,” asserted the Welsh number one.
“I’ve only just stopped shaking. What a player Andreas is – he’s such a nice guy and he pushed me all the way, but I’ve got a smile on my face now."
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship quarter-finals will resume on January 1, as Littler continues his title defence against Ratajski, while Humphries and Van Veen also do battle.
Searle and Clayton will collide in Thursday’s opening quarter-final, before Anderson maintains his challenge for a third World Championship crown against new fan favourite Hood.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
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2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Tuesday December 30
Afternoon Session
Round Four x3
Krzysztof Ratajski 4-2 Luke Woodhouse (3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Jonny Clayton 4-2 Andreas Harrysson (3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2)
Justin Hood 4-0 Josh Rock (3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Evening Session
Round Four x3
Gian van Veen 4-1 Charlie Manby (3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-2)
Gary Anderson 4-1 Michael van Gerwen (3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Luke Humphries 4-1 Kevin Doets (1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0)
Thursday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2
Ryan Searle v Jonny Clayton
Gary Anderson v Justin Hood
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Best of Nine Sets