VIDEO | Ally Pally success can "kind of turn the whole season around" says Matt Campbell after exciting win over Mensur Suljovic
PDC
Matt Campbell has set up a second round showdown with Ryan Searle at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. In a back and forth, see-saw battle with Mensur Suljovic on Thursday night at the Ally Pally, the Canadian number one eventually prevailed 3-2.
Campbell and Suljovic played out a particularly exciting match at the iconic Alexandra Palace. Campbell took a 1-0 and 2-1 lead (Campbell notably averaged over 120 in set 3 ed.) in sets, but saw Suljovic come back each time and force a deciding fifth set. In the end though, Campbell held his nerve to prevail 3-2.
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"There's point dwelling on how I shot. I got the W and that's all that matters," Campbell bluntly assessed of his performance on the Ally Pally stage when speaking to the media post-match. "I feel like it's been a really bad year, but thankfully I was able to qualify come here and win my first round game. So it kind of turns the whole season around."
Campbell doesn't want to cite the frequent back and forth travel between Canada and Europe as an excuse for this lesser year though. "I'm getting used to it, but it's going to be tougher next year with the busier schedule," he says. "They added some more Players Championships and more all over Europe, so it may be tougher next year if I qualify for stuff. But if I don't qualify, then it's pretty easy!"
As mentioned, in the second round, Campbell will now take on 'Heavy Metal' Ryan Searle on Sunday afternoon at the Ally Pally. "Hopefully he has a 67 average!" Campbell smiles. "But no, I'm expecting a good game at a good pace. We'll just get on with it and whoever wins, wins."
