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Ricky Evans, seeded seventh, finds himself in the dilemma of playing a walk-on after Christmas james wade Out of the PDC World Championship.
Evans missed seven match darts before winning the final set 6–4 en route to an impressive 3–2 victory in the second round at Alexandra Palace.
Four-time World Championship semi-finalist Wade became the highest-seeded player to bow out of this year’s tournament after missing his match dart on double five when leading 4–3 in the final set.
The colorful Evans, known for his festive shirts and Shakin’ Stevens song ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, took to the stage this time with a dancing toy dressed as Santa.
After a breathless five-setter, the fast-throwing 35-year-old catering Said: “The problem is that now I am (playing) after Christmas.
“I’ve got to be on to something other than Christmas, right?
“I’m going to do ‘Like a Prayer’…mother of jesusWho cares? I’m still going,”
Evans won the opening set against Darts with a 128 checkout and Wade missed a double five.
Wade produced a ‘big fish’ finish of 170 on his way to leveling matters, but Evans won the next set with a 13-dart leg against the throw, which proved decisive.
Evans lost his composure in the fourth set, but 144 and 89 checkouts at the start of the fifth set brought him to the brink of victory.
Leading 2–1, Evans missed six match darts, including three in double one, and was pulled by the referee for an underarm throw in the next leg.
Evans then missed the double at 16 in the seventh match when leading 3–2 and after Wade failed to cross the line himself, he ultimately kept his momentum going with a brilliant 99 finish.
“Imagine coming into darts and winning 3-0? Evans said. “What does that mean? Make it interesting.
“I say it every year, ‘I’m weird but I’m box office. Come on.’
Kenyan hero David Munua’s historic journey ended with a 3-0 defeat to Kevin Doates.
Munua’s first round win over world number 18 Mike de Decker delighted African darts fans and drew a congratulatory message from Kenyan President William Ruto.
The 30-year-old works as a full-time veterinarian in Nairobi and had never left Africa before the trip London For the World Championship.
The crowd, which also included members of the Kenyan High Commission in Britain, were completely in favor of the underdogs and Munyuya thrilled them by throwing five 180s.
Doates’ power scoring and consistency ensured there would be no upset this time and he said on stage: “I was expecting a lot more booing (for me). They’re still booing me now.
“But it’s fair enough, he’s the people’s champion. It’s amazing for someone from Kenya to reach the second round.”
Former World Championship semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens shrugged off a disappointing form in 2025 with a 3-0 victory over No. 31 Wessel Nijman.
Clemens will now face number two seed Luke Humphries or 71-year-old Paul Lim in the third round.
Latvian number one Madras Razma defeated Scotland’s Darren Beveridge 3–1.