The PDC World Championship kicked off in thrilling fashion at Alexandra Palace in London, with reigning champion Luke Humphries making a strong start. Humphries breezed past Frenchman Thibault Tricole 3-0, advancing to the third round with a flawless display. Meanwhile, Keane Barry stunned Kim Huybrechts in a gripping 3-1 victory, and Jermaine Wattimena cruised through with a commanding 3-0 win over Stefan Bellmont.
Match Recap: Humphries 3-0 Tricole
Humphries showed no signs of faltering, delivering a clinical performance:
- First Set: Humphries capitalized on Tricole’s missed doubles, sealing the set 3-0.
- Second Set: A 160 finish and precise scoring saw Humphries win another clean sweep.
- Third Set: Humphries wrapped up the match with a bullseye finish and two 180s, progressing without dropping a leg.
“Humphries dominated from the outset, making light work of Tricole’s inconsistencies,” said analysts, as the champion proved why he remains a top contender.
Wattimena 3-0 Bellmont: Swiss Debut Ends Quickly
Jermaine Wattimena defeated Stefan Bellmont, the first Swiss player to compete in the championship, in straight sets.
- Highlight Finishes: Wattimena impressed with a 95 double-20 check-out in the second set and sealed the match with a 57 finish.
- Key Stats: Wattimena outperformed Bellmont in scoring consistency and capitalized on missed doubles to cruise into the next round.
Barry 3-1 Huybrechts: Young Irishman Shines
In the night’s upset, 22-year-old Keane Barry took down a fancied Kim Huybrechts in a tense four-set battle:
- Decisive Moments: Barry posted three ton-plus finishes (103, 112, and 108), while Huybrechts struggled with missed doubles throughout.
- Final Blow: Barry closed the match in style, hitting tops to seal victory and progress to the next stage.
Tricole Battles Through Against Comito
Frenchman Thibault Tricole overcame early struggles to defeat Joe Comito 3-1 in the opening match of the night:
- Key Highlights: Tricole landed a 118 finish in the second set and held his nerve in a decisive fifth leg of the fourth set.
What’s Next
The competition heats up as day two promises more high-stakes matchups. With Humphries and Barry setting the tone, fans can expect plenty of drama at Alexandra Palace.
