A slow scoring leg for both men, Cameron Menzies gets the first chance at a finish, but falters instantly going for the 170.

At 122, Leonard Gates also goes treble-less, inviting Menzies back.

Menzies does find a treble next up, but it is treble one and he cannot hide his frustration.

A missed attempt at double 20 for Gates is missed by a miss at 16s for Menzies.

Further misses at doubles 20 and 10 for Gates could have cost him, but a last dart double five breaks throw.

Some high scores from Cameron Menzies give him some hope of a needed break of throw to end a run of four straight leg defeats.

He fails to take out 140, but does set up three darts at double 20.

Menzies gets the chance to return and finds tops at the second time of asking to level the set. A first leg lost for Leonard Gates.

As if averaging 98 and losing three straight legs was not bad enough, Cameron Menzies' second set starts with a bounce out.

An attempt of 180 ends with a stray one to finish, but Menzies takes control at the start of this second set, setting up a 120 finish to lead and getting six darts at it.

The first four darts only score 40, opening the door back for Leonard Gates.

As Menzies misses one dart at double 20, Gates does the same on the bull.

Three more missed doubles for the Scot give Gates three darts at 25, taking it out on double four.

You may not think it, but Cameron Menzies has averaged 98.23 and lost all three legs so far.

Leonard Gates is averaging just over 101, helped by three big finishes.

Leonard Gates is 54 but moving round the oche like a teenager.

He wiggles his hips after nailing another outrageous out shot.

Oh boy, he is enjoying himself.

Image source, Getty Images

Cameron Menzies was significantly the favourite to win this match before a dart was thrown, but with two big finishes, Leonard Gates has certainly turned a few heads.

Just when you think he has not got one more in him, Gates proves otherwise.

Gates takes out 85 on the bull to win the first set 3-0.

The American's finishing has been top notch so far, as have the dance moves he has shown to celebrate each checkout.

Cameron Menzies takes control in leg two, but misses out his one dart at double 16 to level up.

Leonard Gates is left on 120. A classic Shanghai finish.

Treble 20, single 20 and then tops. He takes out another big finish!

A brilliant dance as he takes a 2-0 leg and breaks throw. The guy can certainly throw a few shapes.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

There were a few dodgy visits before that for Leonard Gates, and it's only a hold of throw but that was a magnificent 138.

Leonard Gates puts in an early 140, which is met by 180 from Cameron Menzies.

Left on 138, Gates has sent the crowd into huge cheers by taking it out.

Treble 20, treble 18, double 12. Bosh!

He holds throw and even Menzies clapped and smiled at that finish.

Leonard Gates has the darts in hand and after a few chants of "USA, USA", gets this match under way.

In case you don't know too much about Leonard Gates or Cameron Menzies, expect plenty of entertainment through.

Gates has danced his entire way to the stage and the Ally Pally crowd have absolutely loved his entrance.

Menzies also has a bit of a boogie on his way to the oche before a big hug with Gates.

Cameron Menzies gets his 2025 PDC World Darts Championship campaign under way this evening against American Leonard Gates.

Menzies' partner, Fallon Sherrock, is also in this year's Alexandra Palace showpiece and before the tournament, the couple spoke to BBC Sport about life together as professional darts players.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland's Cameron Menzies is next in action, taking on American Leonard Gates.

Menzies reached the semi-finals of the WDF World Championship in 2022, but in the PDC has not got past round two in his two previous attempts.

Ranked 39th in the PDC's order of merit, Menzies faces American Leonard Gates, who is here for the second time in his career. In 2023, he reached round two, where he lost to Stephen Bunting.

Almost 100 places separate the two in the world rankings, with the winner of this match facing two-time major winner Nathan Aspinall on Wednesday in the second round.

I thought we were at the Vatican and not the Palace for a minute there.

Image source, PA Media

Connor Scutt speaking to Sky Sports after beating Ben Robb 3-0: "That felt really good to be fair. I didn't realise [my average] was as high as 101. I didn't know it was that high. I've worked on a slightly different throw and it has paid off massively."

On the win: "It's been really nice tonight, really nice."

On aiming to stay in the top 64 of the PDC's order of merit: "That was massive. I tried my hardest not to put too much pressure on myself. Hopefully, I can carry on into next year."

On facing Damon Heta in round two: "I can't wait to play Damo. He's a very good friend. He's a lot better than me on paper, but we don't play the game on paper."

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

Connor Scutt sends out a huge message to the rest of the field. He was 56% on the doubles and that was top draw.

Another 180 from Connor Scutt puts him in the driving seat to win the match in this leg.

He has six darts at 164 to win the match. Even with a surprise 41 from the first three darts, he remains well on top.

An 83 from Scutt sets up double 20 to win. Three darts on offer, only one needed.

Job done for Connor Scutt. A tough night for Ben Robb.

A meeting with Damon Heta awaits.

Connor Scutt is in a real love affair with treble 20 this evening. He finds three of them in his first six darts of the second leg of the third set.

Ben Robb is not too far behind in this leg, but too many missed trebles allow Scutt to hit the most casual 170 you will ever see to set up double eight.

Scutt takes out 16 in two darts and is one leg away from victory.

All Robb can do is laugh and admire.

Image source, PA Media

Connor Scutt and Ben Robb exchange 140s to begin the third set of this match.

Another maximum from Scutt soon puts Robb comfortably behind him in this clash and he is given six darts at 84.

The first three set up double 16. The fourth takes it out.

One set away from round two and a meeting with Damon Heta, Connor Scutt is now on an average of 100.7 after those first two sets.

Ben Robb's average is almost 20 points lower than Scutt's.

As Robb leaves the stage, all he can do his briefly chuckle at the quality Scutt has shown so far.