Summary

  • Evening results: Andreas Harrysson 4-2 Ricardo Pietreczko, Stephen Bunting 3-4 James Hurrell, Luke Littler 4-0 Mensur Suljovic

  • Defending champion Littler puts in dominant display to reach fourth round

  • Fourth seed Bunting becomes highest-ranked player to exit this year's tournament

  • Afternoon results: Wesley Plaisier 3-4 Krzysztof Ratajski, Andrew Gilding 1-4 Luke Woodhouse, Jonny Clayton 4-3 Niels Zonneveld

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Live Reporting

Emma Smith

  1. Littler had corrective eye surgery as child

    Littler v Suljovic

    Luke LittlerPA Media

    World champion Luke Littler has revealed he had surgery as a child to correct his eyesight.

    Littler, now 18, was treated at Warrington Hospital to repair strabismus - a condition where the eyes do not align - although surgery is not always required.

    Asked if his life could have played out differently without the operation, world number one Littler said: "Well, who knows? It's one of those things, obviously, it had to be sorted. My mum and dad wanted that sorted.

    "But obviously, when I was younger, I didn't really care. Now you look at it, it was a good thing to get done at the time, but I don't have memories of it now.

    "I think that's the last time I was in there. So, like when I was four or five, it got sorted."

  2. Get Involved

    Bunting just hasn’t looked his prolific self throughout the tournament, being taken to a set tiebreak in round one followed by a below par display in round two tonight just wasn’t enough from him - but credit to Hurrell who played a blinder.

    Nathan, Falkirk

  3. Littler v Suljovic

    Just one more match left tonight - and it could be a barnstormer.

    Reigning champion Luke Littler, against the reinvigorated Mensur Suljovic.

    We've had two upsets so far tonight; if Suljovic triumphs here, it would be the biggest shock of all.

  4. Highest match averages at 2026 World Championship

    Opening two rounds only

    • 108.28 - Gian van Veen (v Alan Soutar)
    • 105.41 - Gary Anderson (v Connor Scutt)
    • 103.01 - Justin Hood (v Danny Noppert)
    • 102.36 - William O’Connor (v Krzysztof Kciuk)
    • 102.27 - Danny Noppert (v Justin Hood)
    • 101.54 - Luke Littler (v Darius Labanauskas)
    • 101.33 - Josh Rock (v Joe Comito)
    • 100.91 - Wessel Nijman (v Karel Sedlacek)
    • 100.20 - Michael van Gerwen (v William O’Connor)

    Statistics from Sportradar, the PDC's official data partner

    Gian van VeenGetty Images

  5. Get Involved

    The Xmas bunting is coming down

    Terry, Bristol

    Loving the live blog as usual! Let's go Hillbilly! [James Hurrell's nickname]

    Ryan, Bordon

    Who needs Littler? Fantastic entertainment all the way.

    AJ, Cambs

  6. Six of the top 16 already out

    Fourth seed Stephen Bunting is the highest-ranked player eliminated from the tournament so far - but he is far from alone in being among the big names to bite the dust.

    The top players have not had the smoothest of times at the World Darts Championship so far - while you might expect the 16 highest seeds to all be in contention for the last 16, the reality is far from it.

    Here are the players in the top 16 who have exited before round four:

    • Stephen Bunting (4)
    • Danny Noppert (6)
    • James Wade (7)
    • Chris Dobey (8)
    • Gerwyn Price (9)
    • Ross Smith (12)

  7. Bunting 3-4 Hurrell (1-3)

    James Hurrell shakes hands with Stephen BuntingPA Media

    The crowd, who love Stephen Bunting, are stunned into near silence.

    James Hurrell claps the beaten fourth seed from the stage. Great sportsmanship.

    Hurrell faces another seed - 13th ranked Martin Schindler, or number 20 Ryan Searle - in round four.

  8. Hurrell earns stunning victory
    Breaking

    Bunting 3-4 Hurrell (1-3)

    Hurrell, T20... misses one at tops...

    LANDS IT!

    Fourth seed Stephen Bunting is OUT.

  9. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-2)

    James Hurrell leads off with 96 after dipping to the 19s.

    Bunting goes T20, then wide into fives and ones. Advantage Hurrell.

    A ton visit from Hurrell. He'll be happy.

    Bunting responds with 140! Big.

    Hurrell then makes an ill-advised lunge towards bull, just 65 on that visit. But Bunting only records 59 next up.

    Hurrell with a clutch 140! He can win the match with a 100 checkout next up.

    Bunting lurks on 124.

  10. Unseeded Hurrell to throw for the match against fourth-ranked Bunting

    Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-2)

    Hurrell's partner Suzanne is gong through the seven circles of hell in the audience. You could cut the tension with a knife.

    A visit of 48 from Bunting, including one in T3. Could that make a difference in Hurrell's favour? He lands a 137 visit.

    Now Bunting chucks in 43. He will, again, need to dig himself out a hole.

    Against the darts, Hurrell is on a 42 finish. Two leaves tops, taken.

    Hurrell, once again, will throw for the match.

    James HurrellPA Media

  11. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-1)

    A reminder that this deciding set must be won by at least two clear legs.

  12. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-1)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    James is the player under pressure, when you're in the deciding set and you're the one constantly chasing.

  13. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-1)

    Stephen Bunting pushes in front on the Hurrell leg with 140. Hurrell responds with one of his own, then Bunting bangs 140 again.

    Hurrell with a chance to check out 124 - millimetres away!

    He gets another shot, and lands the double. Good darts.

  14. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-0)

    My goodness, what a night of darts.

    And Luke Littler hasn't even arrived yet!

  15. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (1-0)

    Back-to-back bulls from Bunting, 120 to set up a 120 finish.

    Hurrell is all over the place, Bunting messes up the Shanghai. This is chaos, albeit enjoyable chaos.

    Bunting finally cleans up.

  16. Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (0-0)

    Bunting now has five ton-plus outs in this match.

    He's largely been poor, but has turned out for the big moments.

  17. Bunting takes match to a deciding set

    Bunting 3-3 Hurrell (3-2)

    Stephen BuntingPA Media

    T20, then double top landed by Bunting.

    We go to a deciding set.

  18. Bunting 2-3 Hurrell (2-2)

    Stephen Bunting is fighting for his life, and is furious when he strays into the ones.

    But visits of 59 and 49 from Hurrell, the pressure is showing.

    Then the underdog lands 140, then a trebleless 59 from Bunting.

    59 from Hurrell again! How are your nerves?

    Bunting needs 100, Hurrell requires 115.

  19. Bunting 2-3 Hurrell (2-2)

    Bunting lands T20, then D12. His lookalike son in the crowd breathes a sigh of relief.

    But if Hurrell holds this next leg, he wins.

  20. Bunting 2-3 Hurrell (1-2)

    Stephen Bunting has his head down, I've rarely seen him as low powered as this. Maybe that illness over Christmas was worse than we thought?

    He keeps himself alive with a potential checkout of 84, Hurrell needs 82.