PDC World Championship Preview, Day 3 - Evening Session

Day three of the PDC World Championship concludes with four ties that feature one PDC world champion, one BDO world champion and a BDO world finalist. All eyes will be on Gary Anderson, but Joe Cullen and Jelle Klaasen will be under the spotlight as they seek to overcome difficult obstacles and reach the second round.

Jeff Smith vs Luke Humphries (Prelim)

Jeff Smith has some decent world championship calibre. The Canadian has appeared in three of them at the Lakeside, and his worst showing was in reaching the last 16 back in January. Smith has caused some controversy by opting out of a return to Frimley Green, however, and faces a much tougher challenge in the PDC's premier event.
Looking to suppress the Silencer is Luke Humphries, a 22-year-old who goes into the World Championships a relative unknown. Keen observers of floor darts have been impressed by the Berkshire thrower, who finished top of the Development Tour rankings after winning five events. Hopefully, Humphries will have watched Ted Evetts' opening night showing closely, and accounted for the effect of big stage nerves.

Joe Cullen vs Jermaine Wattimena

On his day, there are few players as fun to watch as Joe Cullen. Unfortunately, it isn't clear to anyone when his day is likely to be - even Cullen himself. The 28-year-old from Bradford has bags of natural talent, but is still somewhat lacking in composure or consistency. That said, it is widely agreed that Cullen is due a major breakthrough sooner or later. A breakthrough of sorts was made last year at the Ally Pally, with Cullen beating Corey Cadby to win in the first round for the first time in seven attempts. He averaged over 100 in a thrilling tie, but that form left him in a second round humbling at the hands of Adrian Lewis. The question isn't just what Cullen can achieve against Wattimena, but if he can follow up one good performance with another.
The good news for Wattimena is that he has already matched his best showing at a Worlds. The next step for the Dutchman is getting through the first round. Wattimena impressed in 6-0 and 6-3 wins over Keegan Brown and Mickey Mansell respectively at the Players Championship finals, but his composure left him in a decider against Steve Beaton. Both know where the treble bed is. It may just be that the calmest player on the day wins.

Jelle Klaasen vs Jan Dekker

When you win the World Championship at the very first attempt, there isn't really anywhere to go but down. That has been the case for Jelle Klaasen, whose stunning 2006 BDO title will likely be the only time he is crowned the world's best. Yet the target is not necessarily victory, but putting on a good enough run to make the Premier League selectors think twice. Reaching the semi-finals in 2016 had that very effect. Klaasen is the sort of player who can explode into life at any time. He might need to if he wants to beat Jan Dekker.
Few would have given 'Double' Dekker any hope of winning a tie like this before the Players Championship. Yet the Dutchman's form in Minehead will give him plenty of confidence as he takes on his compatriot a couple of hundred miles to the east of Butlins. Neither Michael Smith, Simon Whitlock nor Peter Jacques could deal with Dekker's clinical finishing, and even the irrepressible Michael van Gerwen was pushed all the way before a late surge. Klaasen will feel he should win this, but better be prepared for a battle.

Gary Anderson vs Smith/Humphries

Gary Anderson appearing in the World Championship final has become a Christmas tradition. He's much like brussels sprouts on a plate; you may or may not have asked for him to be there, yet there he is. The 2015 and 2016 champion's bid to make it three world titles in a row was ended in style by Michael van Gerwen. He'll be back for more though, even if he has to overcome both Phil Taylor and Peter Wright to make the final. A mixture of injury and family matters have hampered his World Championship preparation somewhat, but Anderson is one of those enviable talents who can pick up his darts and start where he left off. Anderson is used to being at least in the semi-finals of any given event. It is unlikely Jeff Smith or Luke Humphries will have the opportunity to sink the Flying Scotsman that Mickey Mansell was afforded at the Players Championship finals. Victory in this one results in a meeting with one of Mark Webster, Kai Fan Leung or the evergreen Paul Lim.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC