World Darts Championship 2026: Luke Littler will get title defence off to sturdy begin with emphatic victory over Darius Labanauskas

Luke Littler acquired the defence of his World Darts Championship off to an ideal begin with a powerful 3-0 win over Darius Labanauskas at Alexandra Palace.

Aiming to change into simply the fourth participant to efficiently defend his title on the Palace, Littler was made to indicate his class in opposition to 2020 quarter-finalist Labanauskas.

It was a ruthless begin from the world No 1, his 101.54 common, 64 per cent on the doubles, and two ton-plus checkouts brushing a battling Labanauskas apart.

Next up, Littler faces Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde or Welsh qualifier David Davies within the second spherical.

After battling the Ally Pally wasp following his battle with Labanauskas, Littler instructed Sky Sports: “It undoubtedly wasn’t simple. Looking on the stats, it did not really feel like that however I’m glad.

“There’s a little bit of nerves however when you come right here and also you win a leg, two legs, then the primary set, and that first set is essential as a result of it settles you down. As lengthy as you win the units, that is all that issues.

“Everyone within the match needs to win their first spherical. It’s undoubtedly the toughest sport. If you do not play properly, you will not win.

“The first game is done and now I get 10 days off.”

In the opening set, Labanauskas took Littler all the way in which and produced a clutch 130 checkout, however ‘The Nuke’ managed to interrupt the throw within the ultimate leg with a 76 checkout on tops to seal the deal, gesturing to his household that each one was calm and he was in management together with his 103 common.

Despite shedding the opening set, Labanauskas didn’t go away. He took the 18-year-old to a decider as soon as once more however Littler stood agency and pinned his favorite D10 for a 14-dart maintain and a 2-0 benefit.

The third set was the place Littler actually got here into his personal with a 124 checkout on the bull then a 120 in fast succession placing him one leg away earlier than he wrapped issues up on D6.

2023 champ Smith begins sturdy with whitewash win over Ashton

Michael Smith continued his battle again from harm with a 3-0 victory over Lisa Ashton.

The 2023 world champion had gone on a pleasant run on the Grand Slam all the way in which to the quarter-finals earlier than shedding to Luke Humphries.

Back on a stage he is aware of methods to carry out properly on, ‘Bully Boy’ needed to take care of the group being firmly on Ashton’s aspect.

The ‘Lancashire Rose’ took Smith to a decider within the opening set, lacking a set dart on the bull, however from there it was all of the St Helens man as he upped his scoring after which some to take out 5 legs in a row, giving Ashton no possibilities on the double, as he took the second set and a 2-0 lead within the third.

Ashton managed to punish missed doubles to cease the rot and ship the Ally Pally crowd wild however that solely delayed the inevitable as he clinched D18 for the win with a 91.19 common and 36 per cent success on the doubles.

Smith will play both Niels Zonneveld from the Netherlands or New Zealand’s Haupai Puha within the second spherical.

“That first set I was so nervous. I didn’t want to lose that first set and when I came back out I was thinking they would be louder and louder, so I was trying to force things and then I went 180, 180 and I thought ‘I’ve got 60 grand here’ but ended up missing,” Smith instructed Sky Sports.

“I had to keep focus. Not a great game. But I will take it and I have 10 days off. Solid practice now and back on the 20th.

“The butterflies have been dangerous this morning however to be again right here, I’ve by no means missed a yr right here for 15 years, however to be again the way in which I’ve been enjoying was bizarre and that was the primary time I felt 100 per cent this yr and I did not play 100 per cent.

“I got the job done, will concentrate on the next one and that’s the main thing now.”

Elsewhere, Arno Merk introduced himself on his Alexandra Palace debut with a 3-1 victory over Kim Huybrechts.

After taking a break of throw to clinch the primary set, Merk then took three legs on the spin for the second, getting back from the Belgian getting a set on the board to clinch all three legs within the fourth set for the largest win of his profession thus far.

Meanwhile, Madars Razma battled by way of to a 3-1 win over Jamai van den Herik to shut out opening evening.

There have been clear nerves on present for Van den Herik on his debut which allowed the skilled Razma to take benefit within the first set however the Dutchman managed to battle again and degree issues. However, Razma then proved an excessive amount of as he rattled off the following two units on the way in which to victory.

What’s subsequent?

The World Darts Championship continues on Friday December 12 with two bumper periods of opening spherical motion.

The afternoon session is reside from 12.30pm and sees Niels Zonneveld vs Haupai Puha, Ian White vs Mervyn King, Ryan Searle vs Chris Landman, and Rob Cross vs Cor Dekker.

Then, within the night session, Ross Smith takes on Andreas Harrysson, Ricky Evans faces Man Lok Leung, Gian van Veen performs Cristo Reyes, and Damon Heta clashes with Steve Lennon.

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely reside till January 3 on Sky Sports’ devoted darts channel (Sky channel 407). Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.