Michael van Gerwen began his quest for a fourth PDC World Darts Championship title with a comfortable 3-0 victory over England’s James Hurrell. Van Gerwen, a three-time champion in 2014, 2017, and 2019, had endured a tough year, struggling for form and failing to win any major televised tournaments. However, he made a confident start in his first-round match, winning each set 3-1.
After the match, the Dutchman reflected on his performance, acknowledging the challenges of the past year but emphasizing his satisfaction with the result. “I think I played OK, of course, like everyone knows it’s been a tough year for me,” Van Gerwen said. “To stand up here and do the thing you want to do always takes a lot of energy. But overall, I put in a good performance. My doubles were there, I was confident, and the most important thing is that I won the game. It wasn’t spectacular, but I don’t really care because I won the game. It’s only the start of my campaign and there’s more to come.”
Van Gerwen’s victory was overshadowed by the withdrawal of Filipino player Sandro Eric Sosing, who was scheduled to face Ian White in the first round. Sosing, who had earned his place in the tournament by reaching the final of the PDC Asian Championship, was taken to the hospital after suffering chest pains during practice. Following an on-site medical assessment, it was advised that he withdraw from the match. As a result, White received a walkover and advanced to the second round, where he will face Ritchie Edhouse.
The absence of Sosing left a shadow over the afternoon’s session, which featured just three matches. In one of those matches, Stephen Bunting, the eighth seed, faced early pressure from Germany’s Kai Gotthardt. Gotthardt won the first set 3-1 and had the chance to take a two-set lead, but he missed three set darts at double eight after hitting a double bull in his setup shot. Bunting seized the opportunity, leveling the match with a double 10. From there, Bunting gained control, breaking Gotthardt’s throw with a 13-dart leg in the third set and taking charge in the fourth. He closed out the match on double top, securing a 3-1 victory to reach the third round, where he will meet either Dirk van Duijvenbode or Madars Razma.
In another thrilling encounter, Wessel Nijman, considered by many as a dark horse for the title, survived a scare against South Africa’s Cameron Carolissen. Nijman started strongly, taking the first set 3-0 as Carolissen struggled with his doubles. The second set was much closer, but Nijman clinched it in a deciding leg. Carolissen bounced back in the third set, winning it 3-0 and forcing a deciding set. The match continued to be tense, with Carolissen moving ahead on averages as Nijman began to feel the pressure. However, the Dutchman held his nerve in the final set, winning the decisive fifth leg with a 25 checkout in two darts to secure a 3-2 victory. Nijman will now face Joe Cullen in the second round.
Elsewhere, Dutch player Alexander Merkx triumphed over Stephen Burton in a scrappy contest, winning 3-0. Both players struggled with their form, with averages below 80, but Merkx was able to capitalize on Burton’s mistakes to secure the win and move on to the next round.
In a lighter moment during the afternoon session, singer Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance at the Alexandra Palace. Sheeran, who is known for his support of Ipswich Town, was spotted in the crowd and was promptly serenaded by the audience with a chant: “Ipswich get battered, everywhere they go.” The singer, who owns a minority stake in the football club, seemed to enjoy the playful atmosphere at the darts event.
The first round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship continued to provide plenty of drama and excitement, with both established stars and emerging talents vying for a place in the next round. While Van Gerwen’s solid performance and Bunting’s resilience were among the highlights, the tournament also witnessed unexpected withdrawals and narrow escapes, setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling competition.
