Niko Springer has to win both sets from here in order to avoid a debut defeat.

A good start to the set for the German, holding his throw on double 16.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

This is quickly turning into the match of the tournament.

Another one. Yet another Scott Williams 180. He's having some set.

Niko Springer should be level though, missing double 10.

Scott Williams takes the set on double eight. The best set of the tournament so far!

For yet another leg, these two exchange maximums. Five 180s between them in the set.

After Scott Williams' latest, he does a no-look celebration.

Niko Springer misses bull for an 87 out, while Williams only needs one dart at double eight to see off 43.

Niko Springer is averaging 121 in the set but is 2-1 down!

Typing is proving to be a challenge with these two, who exchange 180s in consecutive throws.

Niko Springer levels the set and the match with a brilliant 110 checkout on double 18.

Gripping stuff.

Scott Williams, with his second visit of the set, finds 180, which he then backs up with a 123.

After nine darts, he is on a finish, as is Niko Springer.

Williams finds 78 to get up 56, which he gets as Springer's 156 is fractionally out, thanks to a bend of the bullseye ring.

Williams takes the leg on double 10 in a thrilling start to the set.

Both are playing at quite the speed and in a game this tight and entertaining, it is only adding to the spectacle.

Niko Springer leads the averages on 92.65, while Scott Williams trails on 89.14

Williams has taken three of his seven darts at a double.

Springer has had 17 chances already, but only four have gone to plan.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

They're playing at such a speed, it's difficult to get your words out.

Niko Springer has had rotten luck in the fourth leg of the second set.

He goes 120, 120 and in both visits, sees the third dart bounce out of treble 20.

The German does find a 180 in the end, much to his own surprise after bad fortune, but Shaggy pins double six for the set and levels the match.

Image source, Getty Images

Niko Springer has to win three straight legs to avoid the match going level.

On his throw, the German scores 140 to set up three darts at 72, but a stray eight wastes his visit.

Scott Williams gets the chance to see off 138. Treble 19 and treble 19 are a joy to watch, but his double 12 attempt goes low.

Springer puts the second of next attempts at double eight inside the bed for the leg.

Potentially back-to-back breaks of throw, with Niko Springer getting the first chance of a checkout on 138.

Scott Williams, chasing 135, leaves 58.

Springer tees up a bull finish with a five and 25, but sees his third dart bounce out.

Williams holds his throw on double 20.

Niko Springer starts the second set with the darts and with his second visit, finds 180.

Keen to make amends, Scott Williams matches his German opponent.

A blistering start from both men, Springer gets a go at 82 with Williams waiting on 65, but the German misses double 20.

Williams breaks the debutant's throw. A 14, 11 and double 20 out.

If you did not know which of these two was the debutant and which was the World Championship semi-finalist in this match, off this showing, you would have said Scott Williams was the Alexandra Palace debutant and not the other way around.

There is still a long way to go in this match, though.

Niko Springer's average for the first set is 90.18, almost nine points higher than Williams'.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

What a start for the German. He strides off for the break while Scott Williams stays at the oche.

Niko Springer gets a chance at a first set whitewash on 170 and gets the two treble 20s to go, only to put dart three into the 25.

The German comes back for the final 25 and on his second double eight attempt, lands it excellently for a 3-0 set win.

Are we set for another Alexandra Palace shock in the first round?

This perhaps should have been a daunting prospect for the German debutant, given Scott Williams was a win over Luke Humphries away from the World Championship final in January.

Springer is taking it all in his stride though and gets six darts at 88 to double his lead.

The first two darts set up a chance at double 12, which goes over. On his return he puts one over, one under and then, picks out double six for a 2-0 first set lead.

Scott Williams gets down to a finish first, but while he needs 167, Niko Springer has three darts at 28.

The German misses doubles 14 and 7 before intentionally busting, but does get to go back for another crack.

On his next visit, Springer's second dart gives him a break in the opening leg.

Scott Williams was a semi-finalist 12 months ago but tonight, he is back in the first round against Alexandra Palace debutant Niko Springer.

Williams will throw first. Game on!

Image source, Getty Images

In the penultimate contest of Thursday's eight matches, England's Scott Williams takes on Niko Springer of Germany.

Williams made a shock run to the semi-finals 12 months ago, where he was beaten by eventual champion Luke Humphries.

Springer, meanwhile, is a World Championship debutant and sits 122 places below Williams in the PDC's Order of Merit.

The winner takes on former world champion Rob Cross on Monday night, the final match taking place in the second round before the three-day Christmas break.

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.