"If I ever got up to his standard I'd be Premier League" - Ricky Evans admits looking up to round 2 opponent Nathan Aspinall

Ricky Evans is through to the second round of the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship. In a very accomplished performance, Evans raced to a 3-0 win over Simon Adams on Sunday afternoon.

"I didn't really know who I was playing," Evans admitted in his post-match press conference, Adams being an international qualifier. "He's lovely. I met him earlier and he feels like one of the family, he's a lovely man. It's nice to get through, get to the second round and hopefully the tournament starts now."

As always, Evans' festive themed walk-on was a highlight of the session. Walking out to Shakin' Stevens' Christmas Classic, adorned in specially festive glasses and top, 'Rapid' delighted those in attendance at the Alexandra Palace. "My manager will probably think of something else for the next round because I'm last game before Christmas!" Evans smiles. "As long as the darts are flying I'm happy. I could on in any top, trousers and shoes. As long as I'm feeling good I'm happy."

Laying in wait for Evans in round 2 is Nathan Aspinall. "I'm not the favourite for this one. I've got nothing to lose. I've been beaten him a few times on the floor and had a few good Euro Tour games against him so if I play well I've got a chance," Evans previews.

"I look up to him," Evans says of Aspinall. "He's younger than me and he's doing what I want to be doing. If I ever got up to his standard I'd be Premier League. I've got the walk-on, I've got the charisma, I could easily be where he is so I've got to look up to the likes of him and Michael van Gerwen. Why can't I be there in 2025/2026? I'd love to be somewhere like that. One day it will happen."