VIDEO | "Have you guys not seen what I've done on the TV? I got to a world semi-final last year" - Scott Williams fires back after 'being written off'

After his heroic run to the semi-finals at the Alexandra Palace last year, Scott Williams has made another good impression in the opening match of his 2025 PDC World Darts Championship campaign, overcoming Niko Springer 3-1 in one of the games of the tournament so far. 

Fighting back from a set down, it was a nightmare start for Williams before he reeled off the three straight sets, as it was an easy first opening salvo for Springer as he burst into the lead 1-0 and sent Williams into needing some of his best to return to the foray. But bring his best 'Shaggy' did, taking the next three sets at a very high standard to set up a meeting with Rob Cross in the next round.

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“I wasn't great first set. But yeah, I've come out the end of the game with a smile on my face... I’m just happy to win what was a brilliant game,” admitted a somewhat relieved Williams when addressing the darting media afterwards. “Niko is some talent. His ability is incredible, and I think he’s going to upset a lot of players over the next few years."

That's not to say that Williams believes Springer deserved quite as much fancy from the media ahead of the tie though. After all, despite failing to really kick on in 2024, 'Shaggy' did indeed reach the final four at the Alexandra Palace twelve months ago. "I absolutely love it up there. I've not had a great time in my head recently. To be fair, I think I've won two games before November at Minehead. But I feel so good and confident and there was no reason at all why I couldn't win that," he explains. "I won't disregard what Niko has done this year on the Development Tour or anything, but there's pundits and professional people writing me off. Have you guys not seen what I've done on the TV?! As soon as I come to a TV event, I'm completely different to a floor event. You'll get a different response and a different game."

"It's not just to prove me right, I've always felt confident. But, it's more to shut the naysayers up," 'Shaggy' adds. "Don't write me off just because my floor game's not great. I got to a world semi-final last year. I beat three in the top-10, a world champion, the Australian number one and the German number one. Don't disregard me."

In the second round, Williams will have another chance to prove a point as he takes on former world champion Rob Cross. A match with history on the Ally Pally stage. “I gave Rob far too much respect here a couple of years ago," Williams admits, recalling his previous defeat. "But on Monday night the gloves are off, we’re there to win the game!”

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