Ricardo Pietreczko made an excellent start to the World Darts Championship. After being 3-0 too strong for Xiaochen Zong in the opening round, he defeated 28th-seeded Dutchman Gian van Veen 3-1 in the second round. After the Christmas break, 'Pikachu' may take on Scott Williams in the last 32.
Pietreczko reached the last 32 for the second year in a row, last year this round was his finish after a 4-3 defeat against the later world champion Luke Humphries. Against Van Veen, the 30-year-old German impressed especially on his doubles, achieving a percentage of 50 percent on the outer ring.
After his victory, Pietreczko said to Sky Sports: "It's really important for me because the players' championship, it was a very s**** game for me. On stage, I love the Ally Pally and yeah, really important for me."
"Fifty per cent on doubles? I can't speak on the doubles. I don't know, I'm over the moon. I love the big stage and I love the crowd here. Thank you for this round and thank you very much."
Excuses
However, it was Pietreczko's slip of the s-word that prompted Sky presenter Emma Paton to intervene: "Apologies for some of the language that you heard there."
Pietreczko, who made it to the quarterfinals at this year's European Championship and is currently ranked 34th in the world, will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 28, when he takes on Englishman Scott Williams in the afternoon session, who pulled off a stunt in the previous round by sending fifth-ranked Rob Cross home. The winner of Pieteczko v. Williams will take on the winner of the meeting between Englishmen Nathan Aspinall and Andrew Gilding in the fourth round.
PIKACHU PUTS OUT VAN VEEN! 🇩🇪
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2024
Delight for Ricardo Pietreczko, who produces a clinical display of doubling to condemn Gian van Veen to another early exit at Alexandra Palace!#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/6Ve6g3rhBt