WDF World Championship 2025 Roundup | Shane McGuirk's title defence continues with impressive display as Mitchell Lawrie takes care of first matchup on Lakeside stage

The reigning world champion Shane McGuirk continues to progress in the WDF World Championship after disposing of debutant Jonas Masalin 3-1 in a quality match of darts.

The Irishman began with a menacing break, which was enough of an advantage for him to hold onto to take the first set. It looked like he was going to take the second set as well, but Masalin produced a scintillating 144 outshot to hold. He would then throw in a well-timed 180 enroute to levelling the scoreline.

Once more McGuirk would commence with, but Masalin was not letting him get away that easily. Nevertheless, there was nothing the Finnish darter could do about an exceptional 140 checkout on double 16, before a timely 171 set him up on 36 for the set. He followed that with an almost flawless set where he ran away with the final three legs, climaxing on double five as his defence of his title prolongs.

15-year-old Mitchell Lawrie looked almost flawless in a comfortable 2-0 win over Adam Sepsi in the quarter-final of the boys category, as he is set to compete for a spot in the last eight of the men’s event this evening.

The Scot began commandingly over his opponent. His superior scoring allowed him to end up on a double first. Despite a blip in the second leg, it was clinical darts from Lawrie who took the first set without any hesitation. Sepsi got his first leg on the board, capitalising on a slip up from Lawrie. He could have been there again to break after Lawrie once again struggled on the outer ring, but eventually he got over the line on double three. He made no mistakes the next time round, taking out 88 in two before letting out a huge roar. It was an ominous sign for Sepsi whose competition was about to end a leg later. Lawrie closed it out on double 10 to complete the first part in what is set to be a busy day for the young talent.

The number five seed Benjamin Pratnemer’s World Championship hopes have been ended by the hands of Sybren Gijbels in a 3-1 defeat. The first set saw five consecutive breaks as each player struggled to settle. Gijbels was able to keep the pattern going to take the first set before coming back from a 2-1 deficit to double his set advantage. The Slovenian needed some magic to get him back in the game, and he got that through a 109 checkout on the way to the third set. In the end, it was not to be for Pratnemer who suffered a late break in the fourth set to see his run at Lakeside go up in smoke. For Gijbels, it is one better than last year.

The number four seed James Beeton and Caleb Hope played out a very tense battle. In the end, the Englishman would come out on top 3-2. Despite a 100 checkout from Hope to break back in the first set, Beeton commandingly saw out the first set before having no trouble in doubling his lead. He had won six of the first seven legs and was looking to be strolling into the quarter-finals but Hope fought back. The New Zealander was fortunate to break after numerous doubles were missed before seeing out the set on throw. The holds continued as Hope levelled up procedures, making for a winners take all final set. Beeton proved to cope better under the immense pressure, taking out 81 to confirm his spot in the last-eight.

He was closely followed by Francois Schweyen who came from a set deficit to dump out Matt Clark 3-1. It was Clark’s first appearance since 2003, and the former quarter-finalist was looking to secure another one. He held throw to win set one, but the number seven seed would be instantly dragged back by his opponent. Schweyen clinched a key break before narrowly edging out Clark to draw level. He would go on to drop just one of the next seven legs played, winning sex on the spin as he charged to victory. An eye-catching 128 was instantly followed by a 115 checkout which moved him 2-1 ahead before a whitewash fourth set got the job done. The Belgian culminated at the semi-final stages last year and will be targeting even more this year.

The only ladies match taking place in this afternoon session was Eve Watson taking on Aileen de Graaf. It would be a solid 2-0 victory for Watson who is yet to drop a set in this event. De Graaf, sister of Jeffrey de Graaf, has won a plethora of titles on the WDF Circuit with exemption from the World Championships. The 2023 finalist was hoping for a deep run in Frimley Green but could not produce a good enough performance and was punished by the Welshwoman. After finding herself 2-0 down, de Graaf took out 74 while Watson was sitting on 20, keeping her firmly in the set. It would all be for nothing as Watson raced ahead to put daylight between the competitors. After a brace of holds, de Graaf got what she was looking for - a break of throw. She had the chance to force a last-set decider but missed two doubles to confirm this. Watson took the leg before sealing a priceless victory.