2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule: Wednesday afternoon session including Anderson and Suljovic

Gary Anderson and Mensur Suljovic are in the mix for the last PDC World Darts Championship afternoon session before the break.

Christmas could come early for Mickey Mansell if he can put in the same performance that saw off Haupai Puha. The Clonoe Cyclone put on a masterclass in hitting doubles at the right time to seal his best ever World Championship performance to date.

Sealing a third round game against Michael van Gerwen would be an even better sign of progression, but Ricky Evans will be up for securing that spot himself. 'Rapid' would love a chance to avenge last year's 4-0 Ally Pally loss to the world number one. After entering the Guinness Book of World Records (see below), Evans' next task is writing his name in the third round schedule.

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It's finally time for Gary Anderson to get involved in the World Championship. The two-time winner had his start delayed due to a COVID-enforced isolation, but as long as that, plus his injury problems, plus whatever happens to annoy him in the moment, don't put him off. Perhaps having some time to practice for once will have done him a lot of good.

Madars Razma was visibly fuming throughout a 3-0 win over Toru Suzuki; the scoreline did flatter the Latvian a little, as he was very erratic and edged every set, with the help of Suzuki. That sort of performance doesn't threaten the likes of Anderson one bit. One positive, however, can be found in how Razma negotiated three deciding legs under major pressure.

Andy Boulton had to begrudgingly take up the role of Ally Pally villain by sending Deta Hedman out - he did so with minimum fuss, bar a third set which the iconic Heart of Darts dominated. Boulton is a match for any player, and will have taken a lot from the way he closed his first round game out with comfort.

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Stephen Bunting has suffered a bit of a poor year, for all sorts of reasons, but comfortably held on to seeded status and, while possibly vulnerable, still has the tools required to go far here. A match against James Wade awaits after Christmas for the winner.

Like Bunting, Mensur Suljovic is hoping to push the reset button on a rotten 2020. This time last year, he was victim to the force of nature that was Fallon Sherrock - the Austrian was way below his best then, and hasn't been great since. This stage, shorn of the fans (who weren't exactly on his side last year), might be the best place for him to get back on track.

Matthew Edgar might not have Sherrock's broad appeal (Edgar TV's faithful viewers will disagree, no doubt), but he'll also see himself as capable of toppling the Gentle. Edgar controlled the game against Maik Kuivenhoven, and didn't look like a player chasing a first Alexandra Palace win. Now he has one, he'll be out for the second, to cater to both his short-term and his long-term aspirations.

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2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Wednesday December 23

Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)

12:10 Ricky Evans v Mickey Mansell (R2)

13:10 Gary Anderson v Madars Razma (R2)

14:10 Stephen Bunting v Andy Boulton (R2)

15:10 Mensur Suljovic v Matthew Edgar (R2)