VIDEO | "I do feel like there is a chance if I play my best game" - Jeffrey de Graaf believes he can challenge Gary Anderson at the Ally Pally

Jeffrey de Graaf is into the second round at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. The 3-1 scoreline against Rashad Sweeting doesn't really tell the full story though, as the Bahamian debutant endeared himself to the Ally Pally faithful and more than gave De Graaf a run for his money.

Among other things, the Bahamian took the first set comfortably, and then Sweeting even hit the Cole Palmer celebration in honour of a fan who'd messaged him after firing in a 180, having the crowd in the palm of his hands. De Graaf though, kept his cool in the fiery atmosphere and eventually the quality of the Dutch-Swede told.

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"I feel very relieved after that game, it was a struggle in the beginning," De Graaf reflected in his post-match press conference afterwards. "In the first set, I was struggling with the trebles and then, even though I was in front, I would miss the doubles as well. It was a tough game, but I'm very happy that I won."

Like he was for most viewers, Sweeting came into the contest as something of an unknown quantity for De Graaf, making preparation for the match a little more difficult. Once on the stage though, the excellent atmosphere Sweeting helped create actually benefitted De Graaf. "It was nice. It doesn't bother me that much but yeah, it was extremely loud this time," he admitted. "But yeah, it was nice to meet Rashad from the Bahamas."

Last year, De Graaf got to the third round at the PDC World Darts Championship before losing out against Rob Cross 4-2. To ensure a post-Christmas return again this December, he must now defeat two-time World Champion Gary Anderson – one of the favourites to lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.

"I do feel like there is a chance if I play my best game, but yeah, it's Gary Anderson. If he steps up with a ridiculous average like what he's been doing in the past 12 months, I'm going to have a struggle," he previews. "I'll just try to stay with him and then take my chances."

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