Raymond Smith claimed his first World Championship victory to leave Jamie Hughes still without a win at Alexandra Palace.
Australian qualifier Smith – whose son, Ky, is in action on Sunday afternoon – won an entertaining encounter to kick off Saturday’s action.
Smith won the first set in a deciding leg by taking out 100 for a 12-darter, before doubling his lead despite a second ton-plus checkout from Hughes.
Former Czech Darts Open winner Hughes added a 115 finish as he pulled a set back, but Smith went on to secure a 3-1 success to set up a second round meeting with Devon Peteresen.
The action continues on Saturday evening with sees two round three more first round ties before three-time champion Michael van Gerwen get his campaign underway against Chas Barstow in round two.
Ian White won his first game in four years at the William Hill World Championship, where a defeated Darius Labanauskas landed the tournament’s second nine-darter in two days at London’s Alexandra Palace on Saturday.
White enjoyed a 3-1 triumph over Dutchman Chris Landman to reach the third round for the first time since the 2017/18 staging of the sport’s showpiece event.
The first set two sets went White’s way but Landman, who had stunned Scott Mitchell in the opening round, halved the deficit by clinching set three.
White, however, raced through the fourth set to complete the win and set up a last 32 meeting with Gary Anderson.
“I’m happy with my performance and relieved to get through after how it’s gone the last few years,” said White.
“That first game is always difficult to get through. I’ve put in some good averages in the last couple of years and lost so I didn’t care about the average this time.
“All I wanted to do was win. I’ve managed that and I’m looking forward to a good game against Gary.”
Labanauskas fired in the £2.5m tournament’s second nine-dart finish in as many days but was unable to overcome Belgium’s Mike De Decker in their first round contest.
The Lithuanian thrower won the opening set with his perfect leg, which he completed with a 147 checkout, hitting the 12th Ally Pally nine-darter less than 24 hours after William Borland had produced the tournament’s 11th in the last leg of his epic victory over Bradley Brooks.
But Labanauskas was unable to enjoy his magical moment for long, winning just two of the next nine legs as De Decker progressed.
“The nine-darter was a special moment in my life but I couldn’t relax after it,” said Labanauskas.
“I think I thought about it for too long and couldn’t find the focus I needed to win the match but well done to Mike, he deserved it.”
De Decker, a late replacement for South Africa’s Charles Losper who was unable to travel due to visa issues, moves through to face Dave Chisnall in the next round.
Callan Rydz eased to a straight sets victory over Japan’s Yuki Yamada to move into the second round for the third successive year.
From 2-2 in the opening set, Rydz reeled off seven legs on the spin to close out a comfortable victory.
The 2021 World Matchplay quarter-finalist, who has enjoyed a breakthrough 12 months by winning two Players Championship titles, landed six 180s on the way to setting up a round two tie against Brendan Dolan.
““I’m happy with how I played,” said Rydz.
“There were some good scoring phases but I dropped off at times as well so I’m just pleased to have got the job done.
“I’ve played Brendan a few times. He’s a good player and I’ll will have to be on my game to beat him.”
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