Hurricane Huybrechts halts Wright's PDC World Darts Championship defence in stunning shock victory

Defending champion Peter Wright is out of the PDC World Darts Championship after Kim Huybrechts sealed a superb victory on the first night back after the Christmas break at the Alexandra Palace.

Wright came into this tournament undercooked with issues off the oche meaning his only matches came at the Grand Slam of Darts with an early exit but he surged past Mickey Mansell in a 3-0 win.

But this was dented by Hurricane Huybrechts who will face his World Cup of Darts teammate Dimitri van den Bergh in a wide open quarter.

Wright missed 119 for the opening leg against throw but returned for double five for the early lead. A 60 checkout saw him go one away from the opening set.

Huybrechts missed 164 on the bull. He returned but busted double eight and Wright looked at 60 again pinning double 20 for the set.

A 48 checkout saw Huybrechts hold to begin the second set. A 13-darter on double 20 saw him go one away from a set back.

Wright missed the bull for a 95 checkout and Huybrechts took a clean sweep with a 100 checkout. Huybrechts missed 143 for a hold to start the third set but returned to seal it and lead for the first time.

Wright missed a dart at 68 but Huybrechts missed two for a potentially pivotal break and ‘Snakebite’ returned for the same target to draw level.

Huybrechts went one away though from a 2-1 sets win. Wright missed darts for 2-2 and Huybrechts got a shot at 51 and sealed a 2-1 sets lead.

Wright sat at 4/18 on the outer ring and Huybrechts hit double six to break. Wright hit back with a 96 checkout to make it 1-1. A 78 checkout saw him go one away from 2-2 in sets.

A 67 checkout saw Huybrechts go one set away. He started set five on double eight holding throw and going two away.

Wright eventually held throw on double 12 to make it 1-1. But Huybrechts got another of his holds he needed hitting double four.

Wright kept himself in it with a 68 checkout but Huybrechts was throwing for it. Wright missed a dart at 115 and Huybrechts pinned double 18 to seal a famous win.