PDC World Championship 2024: Nathan Aspinall beaten by Ricky Evans
- Published
World number 52 Ricky Evans is through to the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship for the third time of his career
World number six Nathan Aspinall is out of the PDC World Darts Championship after a 3-0 defeat by Ricky Evans.
Evans lost just two legs in the whole match and averaged 99.38 to eliminate the 2023 Matchplay champion.
"Nathan is one of the best players in the world, and I've literally done a job on him there," said Evans, 33.
On a night of surprises Josh Rock, the world number 23 from Northern Ireland, is also out after a 3-1 defeat by Dutch debutant Berry van Peer.
There was no such problems for 2014 BDO world champion Stephen Bunting, who cruised past Ryan Joyce 3-0 with a statement performance that included five 180s and an average of 107.28.
"I have been so nervous, I was so emotional," Bunting told Sky Sports. "I'm so happy to play like that and show my potential.
"Ryan Joyce is an incredible player on his day and I tried my best to give him as little chance as I could. I will try to do the same next round.
"I can enjoy Christmas now, go home, regroup and get ready for the next game."
Elsewhere, Daryl Gurney saw off a spirited fightback from veteran Steve Beaton to win 3-1, while Welshman Jonny Clayton came from behind to beat Ireland's Steve Lennon by the same scoreline.
Dutchman Richard Veenstra thrashed Belgium's Kim Huybrechts 3-0, winning all nine legs with an average of 99.46, to set up a third round meeting with world number two and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
The tournament at London's Alexandra Palace will now take a break for Christmas with the second round completed.
The third round starts on 27 December with the final on 3 January.
Saturday's day session - round two
Kim Huybrechts (Bel) 0-3 Richard Veenstra (Ned)
Callan Rydz (Eng) 2-3 Ricardo Pietreczko (Ger)
Jonny Clayton (Wal) 3-1 Steve Lennon (Ire)
Daryl Gurney (NI) 3-1 Steve Beaton (Eng)
Saturday's night session - round two
Ryan Searle (Eng) 3-1 Tomoya Goto (Jap)
Josh Rock (NI) 1-3 Berry van Peer (Ned)
Stephen Bunting (Eng) 3-0 Ryan Joyce (Eng)
Nathan Aspinall (Eng) 0-3 Ricky Evans (Eng)
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