Reigning champion Luke Humphries is dreaming of creating more history after kicking off his defence of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship with a comprehensive straight-sets win over Thibault Tricole.
Humphries opened his bid for back-to-back World Championship titles with a demolition job against French number one Tricole, winning nine straight legs to secure his place in the third round.
Tricole ran out a hard-fought 3-1 winner against debutant Joe Comito in the tournament’s curtain-raiser, but he was blown away by the world number one in the evening’s headline act.
Humphries raced to the opening set in quick-fire fashion, and after taking out a stunning 160 checkout on his way to doubling his lead, he completed another clean sweep in set three to mark his winning return.
“It’s one of the best atmospheres and feelings I’ve ever experienced. The crowd made me feel amazing,” insisted Humphries, who received a huge ovation on his Alexandra Palace return.
“In terms of the performance, I was nowhere near my best, but all that mattered was that I won tonight. If I had averaged 105 and lost, then I’m out!
“Now I go into the second part of the tournament, and that’s where you can be at your best and really start thinking about being World Champion.”
Humphries is aiming to emulate Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson by becoming the fourth player to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, which would cap off a remarkable 18-month spell of dominance.
“I think it’s probably been one of the best years from a World Champion since Michael van Gerwen,” added Humphries, who has featured in six major televised finals in 2024.
“I have won three major [titles] including the World Cup, I’ve made another three finals and won a couple of Euro Tours, so I’m pretty proud of the way it’s gone.
“It would be a beautiful way to top it off by becoming back-to-back World Champion. It would probably top last year, which I didn’t think I would come close to.
“There’s five tough, tough games to win before I can worry about that though, so I’m just going to focus on my next game first.”
Sunday’s opening night saw two other first round ties take place in the capital, as Jermaine Wattimena and Keane Barry overcame Stefan Bellmont and Kim Huybrechts respectively.
Wattimena will play four-time semi-finalist James Wade for a place in round three, after the 36-year-old kicked off his campaign with a superb straight-sets win over Swiss trailblazer Bellmont.
The Dutchman averaged 98.54 and pinned 45% of his attempts at double to round off an excellent display, after Bellmont had missed a dart at double 12 for a 129 skin-saver in set three.
“I think this has been my best ever year, so James Wade has to prepare himself for tomorrow,” reflected Wattimena, who defeated Wade on his way to reaching October’s European Championship final.
“I can take a lot of confidence from beating James [in Dortmund], and then I beat the world number one [Luke Humphries], so then you know your confidence is good.
“I was really happy with that performance tonight, and now I will go into tomorrow with a good feeling. I think I’m more confident going into this tournament than I have ever been.”
Barry, meanwhile, booked his place in round two with a terrific 3-1 success over former quarter-finalist Huybrechts, defying ten maximums from the Belgian to seal his progress.
Huybrechts edged a tight opening set, but after converting a clinical 108 kill to level the tie, Barry fired in successive 11 and 12-dart legs to lead 2-1, before wrapping up victory with a 13-darter in set four.
“It’s a great feeling. I’m really happy with that performance,” claimed Barry, who landed three ton-plus finishes to set up a showdown against 2020/21 champion Gerwyn Price on Monday evening.
“I have struggled in the past on the World Championship stage, especially with my doubles, but I felt really comfortable tonight.
“I’m feeling confident in my game, and hopefully I can keep playing like that, because I know I’m capable of even better.”
The first double session of the tournament will take place on Monday December 16, as former World Champion Price takes centre stage in the capital.
Wade will play Wattimena in Monday’s afternoon session, with Grand Slam quarter-finalist Cameron Menzies also in action against American veteran Leonard Gates.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
Click here for match stats & results.
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Sunday December 15
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Thibault Tricole 3-1 Joe Comito (R1) (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2) (R1)
Jermaine Wattimena 3-0 Stefan Bellmont (3-1, 3-1, 3-2) (R1)
Keane Barry 3-1 Kim Huybrechts (2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1) (R1)
Luke Humphries 3-0 Thibault Tricole (3-0, 3-0, 3-0) (R2)
Monday December 16
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Wesley Plaisier v Ryusei Azemoto (R1)
Luke Woodhouse v Lourence Ilagan (R1)
Alan Soutar v Kai Gotthardt (R1)
James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena (R2)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Niels Zonneveld v Robert Owen (R1)
Connor Scutt v Ben Robb (R1)
Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates (R1)
Gerwyn Price v Keane Barry (R2)
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