Martin Lukeman recovers from a set down to see off Nitin Kumar at set up battle with Andrew Gilding at World Darts Championship

Martin Lukeman has survived a scare against Nitin Kumar in the opening round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. After dropping the first set, 'Smash' fought back to secure a 3-1 win setting up a round 2 battle with Andrew Gilding.

After his run to the Grand Slam of Darts final recently, Lukeman came into the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship as arguably the most dangerous of first round draws. In Indian qualifier Nitin Kumar though, 'Smash' faced a very experienced operator. It was Kumar who took the opening leg too, sending Lukeman an early warning sign. Responding well though, Lukeman took the next two legs comfortably. After he then missed a handful of set darts though, Kumar forced a decider before pinning double 8 for the set in the following, threatening a huge upset.

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In his 4th World Darts Championship appearance, that was the first set Kumar had managed to take. After Lukeman held throw in the opener of set 2, Kumar levelled up in the following leg, even giving a cheeky wink to camera after nailing the double. Lukeman though, seemed to have settled down slightly and after taking the next two legs, let of a roar as he made it one set apiece.

As both players traded holds of throw to open the third set, Lukeman got himself the advantage with a break of throw in leg 3. After Kumar then missed two darts at tops for an immediate break back, Lukeman punished to got a second set on the board and move 2-1 up.

The momentum was clearly on the side of the Englishman now and Lukeman looked to make the most of it too, taking the opening leg of set 4. After Lukeman missed a dart to go 2-0 in the set though, Kumar proved he wasn't done just yet and levelled things. With it then the Indian's turn to pass up opportunities on the doubles, Lukeman punished and got to one leg from the win and in the very next leg, that victory was secured.

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