Image source, Getty Images

A big thank you to those who followed along this evening for the first night of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.

Luke Humphries breezed into the third round, while Jermaine Wattimena and Keane Barry also booked themselves into Monday's second round matches.

You can read Frank Keogh's report from tonight's action here.

We will be back tomorrow evening to take you through those four matches. Goodbye!

Afternoon Session (12:30)

First round

• Wesley Plaisier v Ryusei Azemoto
• Luke Woodhouse v Lourence Ilagan
• Alan Soutar v Kai Gotthardt

Second round

• James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena

Evening Session (19:00) First round

• Niels Zonneveld v Robert Owen
• Connor Scutt v Ben Robb
• Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates

Second round

• Gerwyn Price v Kim Huybrechts

Sunday's results

First round

• Thibault Tricole 3-1 Joe Comito
• Jermaine Wattimena 3-0 Stefan Bellmont
• Kim Huybrechts 1-3 Keane Barry

Second round

• Luke Humphries 3-0 Thibault Tricole

A low average by Luke Humphries' own standard, ending the match at an average of 90.79, helped by two 180s in the final three legs.

Thibault Tricole ended the second round tie on a 85.62 average, much improved from 80.61 in his first-round win over Joe Comito.

On the doubles, Humphries took out 11 out of 37 attempts at a rate of 29.7%, but crucially, he did not drop a set.

Humphries will be back after Christmas, giving him at least 12 days off now.

Luke Humphries has been able to ease himself into this 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.

A second 180 of the night will please him and it has been a very casual performance.

A missed double 20 on 76 is not issue, given he has three darts to win the match on double 10.

Humphries needs all three of them, but gets the job done.

A 3-0 win. All nine legs won. Easy as you like.

Thibault Tricole shows better promise against the throw, with three straight 100+ visits to start off the leg before a trebleless attempt at 161.

Tricole has 104 to try and break. He goes treble 18, double 18 and misses on double seven.

Luke Humphries returns to take the eighth leg of the match, all of which have been won by "Cool Hand".

Better from Luke Humphries, who starts off what could be the final set of the night with his first 180 of the match.

Despite having the throw, Thibault Tricole finds himself behind "Cool Hand", who gets the chance to finish first.

He takes out 81 with one dart at bull. Seven legs out of seven for Humphries.

As far as averages are concerned, not much has separated Luke Humphries and Thibault Tricole.

Humphries has averaged 86.71 so far, a smidge more than Tricole's 84.12.

The problem for Tricole has been on doubles, missing all seven of his attempts.

Humphries has had 17 of them, taking six.

That 160 checkout from Luke Humphries further cements what has largely felt inevitable since the first set.

Thibault Tricole would not let you believe that, though. A 180 from him leaves both men on an 142 finish, but neither take it out.

Humphries, with three darts at double 10, misses all three to take the second set.

Tricole returns needing 60, which he also fails to finish via double 10.

Two darts at double five from Humphries puts him one set away from the third round, despite not hitting a single 180.

Image source, PA Media

Thibault Tricole takes the advantage back on his throw and very nearly takes out a big 146 finish, missing out on double 16.

Where Tricole misses, Luke Humphries hits. A 160 finish, two trebles 20s and tops, is spot on from the defending world champion.

"Cool Hand" leads the set 2-0.

Much better from Luke Humphries to start set two.

He gets a chance at a 170 out, taking the first treble 20 before going 20, 25 with his final two darts.

Humphries takes out the remaining 65 with his last three darts to take the second set opener.

After the first set, Luke Humphries has averaged 83.5 which by his standards, is very poor.

Despite that, he is yet to drop a leg so far.

Luke Humphries has looked far off his best so far, despite winning the first two legs.

Thibault Tricole has already played this evening and it seems to have helped him to get his eye in a touch.

Tricole has the chance to claim a leg back on 86, but scores just 36 of them.

A 56 finish is taken by Humphries on double 10 after three darts.

He wins the first set but looks frustrated at his own performance, mouthing "wow" to himself as he walks off.

Luke Humphries gets the first leg of his World Championship with the throw, but sees Thibault Tricole throw two 140s in the leg.

He does get three darts at a 56 finish, but misses on doubles 20 and 10.

Tricole, on 76, picks out three singles in a wasted visit.

Humphries has two darts at double 10, which he takes for a 2-0 first set lead.

A pleasing start for the "French Touch", who scores 180 with his second visit in this second round clash.

Tricole gets a go at a 141 out before Luke Humphries can attempt anything, but a single three ends that chance of a 100+ finish.

Tricole does get a second attempt, but is unable to take out 60 in three darts.

Humphries misses out on 85 via double 16 and Tricole is wasteful when given a reprieve.

A 19-dart leg, ending on double eight, puts Humphries ahead.

The challenger, Thibault Tricole, will throw first.

And for the final time tonight... game on!

He's waited almost a year to get the chance to defend his PDC World Darts Championship title.

Luke Humphries has the crowd chanting his walk-on song of "I Predict a Riot" as he walks up to the stage.

You do feel for Thibault Tricole. His second outing at the World Championship. His second appearance in the second round and his second meeting with a World Championship winner.

The crowd are loving that Humphries is in action tonight as he gets a brilliant Alexandra Palace reception.

World number one Luke Humphries on whether he feels extra pressure: "I don't feel added pressure. You do before you play, but once you go up and start playing you forget about it."

On practising with Stephen Bunting: "It was great. We had some great games, some great practice sessions. It was quite a battle between us, put us in a good frame of mind. We'd fancy playing each other in the quarter-finals, if it got to it."

On what he predicts for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship: "I think you are going to see a lot of shocks, a lot of surprises. A Luke is going to win it. I think it's going to be me. It's going to be tough, but I know I've got the capabilities of winning it. I think I can go back-to-back, I know it's going to be tough but you have to believe in yourself."

A very decent wage, if you're at the top level.

Luke Humphries would become the first player in PDC history to reach £2m on the two-year Order of Merit system if he clinches back-to-back World Championship titles on 3 January.

Both he and Luke Littler have trousered more than £1m in prize money this year, and they will earn more through sponsorship deals, merchandise and exhibitions.

Luke Humphries on the schedule: "Twenty years ago, players played one tournament then had three or four months off. Now, it is every week so you can bounce back from disappointment quick. Luke and I both have a lot of bounce back ability. If we keep doing that, it is going to be tough for anyone below us to catch us."

On facing either Thibaut Tricole or Joe Comito this evening: "I won't look too much into the game between Thibaut and Joe. Whatever they average, it doesn't mean they will against me. It will be a good match."

On defending his World Championship title: "Tonight is not about winning tournaments, just getting through that first game and getting past Christmas. It is like two different tournaments."

On playing on the first night: "I played Devon Petersen I think three years ago. You don't want to lose, otherwise you're watching darts for three weeks and not being in it. There's a lot riding on tonight for me."