"I know I can play better than that" - Ryan Joyce not content despite 100+ average in reaching round 2 at the Ally Pally

Ryan Joyce has qualified for the second round of the World Darts Championship with a convincing performance. 'Relentless' defeated American Alex Spellman 3-1 in his opening match.

Joyce, however, was very impressive against a strong playing Spellman, who managed to win the first set 3-0. Then Joyce won three sets in a row to take the win, posting an average of over 100 in the process. "I felt like I struggled in patches for that game. I know I can play better than that but the first round is so difficult."

Joyce has previously reached the quarterfinals of the World Championships back in 2019, his debut year. "It's a wonderful place to come and play. All the history here, all the great players that have played on that stage, it's fantastic. I love playing here," Joyce says of the Ally Pally.

"The first six months of the year I wasn't playing very well but a few slight tweaks in my technique. If you can change something and it has an effect, that gives you a lot of confidence and I think I'm just riding that wave."

The 38-year-old Englishman will take on eighteenth-seeded Stephen Bunting in the next round. "Stephen has been excellent lately, but so have I, so that will be a great match. We both have high scoring power, so the doubles will decide who is going to win that match."