“He was an absolute nightmare, but he’s going back to the Philippines and I’m staying at Ally Pally” - Nathan Aspinall labours past Lourence Ilagan

Nathan Aspinall is through to the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship, but the manner of his 3–1 win over Lourence Ilagan at Alexandra Palace is one that will stay with him for a long time. The Englishman battled visible tension, missed doubles and a relentless internal fight before finally getting the job done.

Afterwards, Aspinall spoke candidly about the mental struggle he endured on stage. “Relieved,” he said. “It wasn’t how I imagined it last night when I went to bed.”

His first emotion after hitting the winning dart was not joy, but sheer release. “Full credit to Lourence, he played a fantastic game and put me under a lot of pressure. I really felt it. My face was like a tomato, I was shaking the whole way through.”

That feeling stayed with him deep into the match. “But at the end of the game I managed to find something. I don’t know where I pulled it from, but I did. I’ve already forgotten about the rest of the match.”

What Aspinall will remember is one moment alone. “All I’ll take from it is that 170 checkout under the most immense pressure to win a game of darts. That’s what I’ll remember.”

It was a finish that summed up his night: no control, no fluency, just survival. “I’d love to agree and say it felt amazing, but honestly it didn’t go how I planned it.”

The tension caught even Aspinall himself by surprise. “I’ve been playing so well. I’ve done a lot more exhibition work coming into this tournament than I normally do, and there’s a reason for that. I’ve been unbelievable in practice. My 180s were there, my confidence was there.”

Then came the walk-on. “I’m not afraid to admit it, I absolutely bricked it. I’ve played on that stage maybe 20 times in my career and I put myself under so much pressure tonight.”

Why that happened, he is still not sure. “I’ll probably work it out when I evaluate it properly. But I got the win, and that’s the most important thing.”

For Aspinall, the match only reinforced why the opening round of the World Championship is so dangerous. “Everyone says the first round is the toughest and it is. I’ve got through that now.”

He admitted survival often replaces ambition at that stage. “You’re not thinking about winning, you’re thinking about getting through.”

He was keen not to blame Ilagan’s tempo or behaviour, making clear that was not the issue. “I enjoyed the crowd interaction, I enjoyed the celebrations. It wasn’t that and it wasn’t slow play.”

But he did not hide how awkward the Filipino was to face. “He was an absolute nightmare to play.”

A wry conclusion followed. “He’s going back to the Philippines and I’m staying at Ally Pally.”

The scrappy performance contrasted sharply with the form Aspinall believes he has brought into this championship. “The best place it’s ever been. I’ve never played better. My confidence has never been higher. My head has never been better.”

For the first time in years, he arrived free of physical and mental baggage. “This is the first time in years I’ve come into this tournament without an injury, without dartitis, without any issues in my head. I’m just Nathan as a darts player.”

As a seeded player, Aspinall had to wait until the final session of the opening round to play, something he admitted was difficult. “I was sat at home counting the days down until I got the train to London. It felt like a lifetime.”

He compared it to children waiting for Christmas. “I literally should do an advent calendar next year, days until I play at Ally Pally.”

The relief was palpable once he was finally on his way. “I was buzzing on the train down last night, watching the darts just to feel part of it again.”

Yet even then, nerves struck hard. “I walked on that stage and my arse fell out.”

Still, he found a way through. “But I got through it and I won and that’s the most important thing.”

In round two, Aspinall will face Leonard Gates, a match-up he approaches with confidence. “I know I’ll beat Leonard. Simple as that. He’s a great player, but I won’t feel that nervous again.”

The biggest psychological hurdle, he believes, is now behind him. “Monday will be a different animal and I’ll be ready for it.”

Aspinall also spoke openly about his broader ambition at this championship. “If you don’t believe you can win the World Championship, what are you doing playing in it? That’s not arrogance, that’s belief.”

He pointed to the path he has travelled. “Two years ago I didn’t think I’d ever play darts at this level again. Then I get into the Premier League, make the semi-finals, make finals, win titles, and I’m back in the top 12 in the world.”

That journey has given him freedom. “I’m playing with freedom now. I know I’m going to lose games of darts, but I don’t worry about them anymore.”

For now, one thing matters more than anything else. Nathan Aspinall is still standing.