PDC World Darts Championship 2026 Round-Up | Peter Wright thrashed by German debutant Arno Merk as Wattimena, Rydz and Meikle prevail in deciding set epics

The PDC World Darts Championship continued on Tuesday afternoon with comeback wins, tie-break drama and a two-time World Champion being slumped out of proceeding in the penultimate session before Christmas.

Peter Wright was the biggest casualty as 'Snakebite' was easily beaten by debutant Arno Merk. The qualifier continued his dream debut winning 3-0 in sets to reach post Christmas.
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Merk broke with a 16-darter with Wright missing multiple darts at double to hold. He sealed the first set with a 122 checkout. Merk levelled the second set 1-1 as Wright aimed to hit back.

But Merk broke for 2-1 on double 20 and he held throw for 3-1. Wright missed darts to hold after Merk initially missed break darts. He returned though with Merk faltering with the finishing line firmly in sight. A 15-dart 104 checkout saw Merk go one away from the win and he hit a superb 81 checkout for a 12-darter to seal the victory.

Jermaine Wattimena was one of the stars of the show as he took down Scott Williams in a five set epic with a 96 average and five 180's and he has sealed a spot in Round Three in the process.

A back and forth opener began as Wattimena broke for 2-0 hitting double 20 before Williams broke back with a 115 checkout for 2-1. He sent it to a decider but Wattimena held with a 91 checkout for an 11-darter.

Wattimena broke on double 16 and he held for 2-0. He was heading towards doubling up the sets and going one away from the win. Wattimena missed a dart for 80 and Williams broke with a 64 checkout and was suddenly throwing for the set at 2-2. Wattimena hit a 58 checkout with an 11-darter for 3-2 to seal the second set going 2-0 up and one away from the win.

Williams broke with a 47 checkout for a 14-darter to go 2-1 up and was one away from the third set trying to halve the deficit. A 70 checkout for 3-1 saw Williams make it 2-1 down in sets. Williams hit an 80 checkout with Wattimena waiting on double 18 and he broke for a 2-0 lead in the fourth set. He was throwing for 2-2.

An 85 checkout for Williams and he made it 2-2 in sets. Wattimena hit a 90 checkout to break to go one away from the win and he finished the job from there after Williams late comeback show.

Callan Rydz prevailed over Daryl Gurney in absolute epic. He recovered from 2-1 down to deny 'Superchin' 3-2 to book his spot in the Last 32 hitting eight 180's and two 167 checkouts en route.

Gurney opened up with an 82 checkout but only after Rydz had missed a slew of darts to break. But Rydz held for 1-1 in the early going. Rydz broke to head towards the opening set hitting 167 for 2-1 and was throwing for a 1-0 lead. Rydz missed the bull for a 123 checkout but with Gurney unable to take 66 he was back for set one and a 1-0 lead.

Gurney swept the second set with ease hitting double seven to break and he broke again for the set with a 13-darter on double 18. He put that first set behind him. He concluded set three with a 139 checkout for a 12-darter to break.

Rydz hit back though hitting double four for 2-0 and was aiming to make it 2-2 in sets. Rydz sent the tie all the way with a 52 checkout on double 20. Gurney was 2-1 up against Rydz with the tie going with the throw but it went to a tie-break. Gurney was sat on 68 and Rydz hit a 100 checkout to make it 3-3. From there this proved to be the magic touch as he fell over the line after being on the brink of defeat.

It was five setters all over the show as Ryan Meikle recovered from two sets down to defeat Kiwi ace Jonny Tata in a marathon. He punished a capitulation from the Kiwi on doubles in the latter stages.

Tata fired in two 180's and 3/3 on the doubles to secure the first set 3-1. Tata landed a sixth 180 and made it 6/9 on the doubles to move two sets up and it looked likely he would head towards the win.

But Meikle dug deep to land a first maximum and edged the third set in a decider and halved the deficit. Tata's finishing went to tatters though as Meikle took the fourth set 3-1 to force a decider.

From being on the brink Meikle held to lead the decider. Tata went from nearly sealing the win to a potential loss. Meikle hit double 20 and was now 2-1 up before sealing the win.