PDC World Darts Championship Round-Up| Gary Anderson edges Wattimena in tiebreak Ally Pally epic after dominant wins for Searle & Cross

We have been witness to one of the great last 32 matches in Ally Pally history this afternoon as Gary Anderson held off an epic Jermaine Wattimena comeback to win a tiebreak thriller 4-3 and set up a potential meeting with Michael van Gerwen in the last 16!

The session belonged to Gary Anderson, who held his nerve to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 4-3 in one of the matches of the tournament so far.

Anderson made the brighter start, capitalising on missed doubles from Wattimena to take the opening set, before the Dutchman responded with strong scoring and six-dart bursts to level the contest at one set apiece. The momentum continued to swing as both players traded ton-plus finishes, including 101 and 124 checkouts from the two-time world champion.

At 3-1 up in sets, Anderson looked on course for a straightforward close, but the match turned dramatically. Wattimena punished three missed match darts to force the contest deeper, then kept his composure under pressure with last-dart doubles to drag the match back to three sets all.

The final set produced extraordinary tension. Anderson threatened a nine-darter, missing double 12 at the end of one of the most electric legs of the afternoon, before Wattimena wired double 13 for a potential 146. Given a reprieve, Anderson eventually pinned double 1 to regain the lead and finally edge clear, sealing a 4-3 victory after holding off a remarkable comeback.

Earlier in the session, Rob Cross produced a composed and clinical display to defeat Damon Heta 4-0 and return to the last 16 at Alexandra Palace.

Cross seized control early, averaging over 101 in the opening set and converting missed chances from Heta to establish a commanding lead. The Australian threatened a response in the middle stages, briefly breaking throw and holding in set three, but Cross consistently punished missed doubles at crucial moments.

Winning six of the final eight legs, the former world champion closed out the contest with authority, averaging around 94 overall and booking a fourth-round meeting with Luke Littler.

The afternoon began with a dominant display from Ryan Searle, who swept aside Martin Schindler 4-0 in a one-sided opening match.

Searle took immediate advantage of missed doubles from the German, breaking throw early and never allowing Schindler to settle. Highlights included a superb 151 checkout, repeated clinical finishes on double top, and a seven-leg streak that underlined the control he held throughout the contest.

Although Searle narrowly missed the bull for a 170 in the closing moments, he returned calmly to clean up 25 and complete a comprehensive whitewash, averaging over 102 and cruising into the last 16.

With Anderson surviving a thriller, Cross setting up a blockbuster clash, and Searle barely breaking stride, the Sunday afternoon session laid down several clear markers as the championship moved into its decisive rounds.