John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

You don't want to change your approach much in the match because you're near the line, you don't want to try harder because you're already doing well. You try to keep throwing as you've been throwing and not force anything.

In the morning session we saw two players - Jonny Tata and Jermaine Wattimena - give up 2-0 leads. Tata lost, Wattimena won.

But little sign of that from Justin Hood yet, a maximum setting up a 127 checkout... which he very nearly hits!

Instead Hood has three darts at D4, and needs only two.

Justin Hood has not dropped his throw so far in this match.

Maintain that in this set, and he's into the last 32.

Both men have averaged over 100 in the opening two sets, however Danny Noppert converted just one of six double attempts in the second set.

That leaves the sixth-ranked Dutchman on the verge of being the 17th seed knocked out before Christmas.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

This is a world-class display from Justin Hood. This is magnificent.

Image source, PA Media

Hood needs 52 for the set, but busts when aiming for D8.

However Noppert can't finish 161, giving Hood a second go.

And this time the double is certain. Is another seed about to crash out?

T20 from Hood.... ooooh, single 19.

So close.

Both men open the leg with 180s!

Then another from Hood! He's on a 9-darter...

Nothing wrong with Danny Noppert's scoring, he's just banged in another 180. It's the finishing which has let him down.

And again, with 41 to check out, he falls short of tops before missing D10.

This time Hood lets Noppert off, but the underdog will be in control if he holds throw.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

The best of five sets is a very short format - it can seem long sometimes, you can have a lot of legs and length of time, but the ones that go three sets to nil are over before you know it.

If you're on the wrong end of it, you can maybe not do much wrong and that's what Danny's in danger of right now.

Danny Noppert responds with 180 from his first visit of the following leg.

But Justin Hood remains unbothered, a 140 setting up a possible checkout of 104.

Hood keeps his cool with Noppert well back, setting himself up 48 to hold throw - but the doubles desert him!

That gives Noppert a chance at 114, but once again the Dutchman misses tops. It allows Hood to hold, and the Englishman is suddenly a leg away from a 2-0 lead in sets.

Danny Noppert seems unbothered by that lightning start from his unseeded opponent. The Dutchman would be the highest ranked casualty at this tournament so far if he loses here.

He gets to a 114 finish, but sends the last dart narrowly shy of tops.

Can Hood take advantage with a 110 checkout? Yes, D20 is good for him!

The first break of the match.

Image source, PA Media

Both men averaged over 100 in the opening set.

An excellent start from both. Danny Noppert will throw first in the second.

Former Premier League footballer Steve Sidwell is picked out by the cameras among the spectators in the audience.

Cheers from the Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa fans at Ally Pally.

Justin Hood celebrates by stroking his nipples and flicking his tongue at the camera.

To each their own.

Both men have thrown well, but Justin Hood has the advantage - hold throw here and the first leg is his.

A visit of 127 sets up a finish of 52 for the world number 86... and he holds his nerve.

The underdog leads!

Image source, Getty Images

The crowd seems extra energised tonight, running through their repertoire from Yaya Toure to Stand Up If You Love The Darts in short order.

Danny Noppert opens his leg with 180, and has plenty of time to set up three darts at tops.

Over the wire with his first, into the single 20 on the second... but Noppert cleans up with D10.

Both men with 15 dart legs to hold their opening throws. Hopefully a sign of quality to come.

Justin Hood with some excellent grouping to collect the first 180 of the match, and leaving him with three at D14.

He needs only two.

Justin Hood, the world number 86, looks unfazed by the world stage as he throws some solid early arrows.

But Danny Noppert is also scoring well in the early stages, checking out with 82 to hold throw.

Justin Hood throws the first darts of the night. He'll be very keen on a fast start.

He is helped by an bounce-out for Danny Noppert, leaving him with just 25 from an early visit.

Hood throws 145 to set up a finish of 65, and sees it off. A good settler.