Ricardo Pietreczko punishes wasteful Xiaochen Zong to set up Gian van Veen tie at PDC World Darts Championship

Ricardo Pietreczko is through to the second round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship after punishing a wasteful display from Xiaochen Zong.

Pietreczko broke out last season and pushed Luke Humphries all the way. But it has instead been all about Martin Schindler and less about 'Pikachu' this year aside from a European Tour final.

He will hope to change the narrative this month. He will now face a stern test though in a certain Gian van Veen aiming to make a splash on the Ally Pally stage.

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It was a routine start for Pikachu who wrapped up the opening set without reply against Zong. The second was more tougher as he had to pull out the big shots when they mattered.

He hit a 158 checkout for 1-1 with Zong pressuring with a 180 to leave double 10. Albeit Zong headed into a 2-1 lead with a 13-darter on double six. Pietreczko levelled up making it 2-2 with a 96 checkout but Pietreczko again had to pull it out of the fire. He produced a 120 checkout to seal the set.

He surged into a 2-0 lead in what was the deciding set. He hit double eight after Zong spurned more chances on the doubles. A poor start to the leg allowed Zong to break. But he was broken immediately for the win by Pietreczko.

The German hit double 20 to claim it 3-1 and 3-0 overall. He now returns to face off against Van Veen who is a seed this year. Pietreczko can perhaps count himself unlucky that he is not a seed. But he will get one of the ties of the second round against 'GVV The Giant' who has proven himself to be a real force.

Albeit he has been tetchy at times on the big stage and so Pietreczko will hope for a real confidence boosting win.