"I can add 20 points to my average" - Dangerous Ryan Joyce into last 32 at World Darts Championship despite not hitting top form

For the first time since he reached the quarter-finals on debut in 2019, Ryan Joyce has ensured a post-Christmas return to the PDC World Darts Championship. 'Relentless' recovered from a set down to see off former UK Open champion Danny Noppert 3-1.

After Noppert had taken the first set, Joyce fought back strongly, reeling off the next three sets on the spin to consign the Dutchman to more Ally Pally disappointment. In the third round, Joyce is now set to face off against either 20th seed Ryan Searle of the Canadian number one, Matt Campbell.

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"I'm really happy to get through. That game it was a really tough game. I know Danny didn't play his best game but I really struggled early on so I'm delighted to have found a little bit extra in the next few sets to get through the game," Joyce reflects in his post-match press conference afterwards. "I thought like I was lucky to win the second set, he missed doubles to go 2-0 in sets and then I thought: 'This is your lucky day. He's let you off, you've got to punish him now and I pulled out a few really good shots at the right time."

Despite the victory and his recent impressive form on TV over the last few months, Joyce insists there is still much more to come from him. "I can add 20 points to my average when I'm playing really. But compared to the very top players like Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, those really top players they produce that a lot more regular than I do," he explains. "I'm still dangerous in this competition. I can produce that for a one-off game maybe and put out some really good players if I'm on top form."

"I'm just going to relax and enjoy Christmas now. I'm not going to think about the darts until I come back down here," Joyce adds. "I put a lot of practice in leading up to this game and all that practice, all that hard work unravelled in set one. So I'm not going to worry about anything now, I'm just going to switch off and try and enjoy Christmas."

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