The year may have seemed like a tale of two Lukes - Humphries and Littler - but it is another player who tops the three-dart averages for the year going into the world championship.

Two-time champion Gary Anderson leads the way, although you'll have to wait a week to see the Scot in action when he takes on the winner of Jeffrey de Graaf and Rashad Sweeting next Sunday.

Matt Campbell took the first set and on averages, has been the man on top.

He has so far averaged 93.08 to Mensur Suljovic's 87.12.

Both men have 50% success rates on the doubles. Three out of six for Campbell and two out of four for Suljovic.

This match has been a strong case of whoever's leg it is, they will take control of it.

Matt Campbell gets six darts to take out 80, with Mensur Suljovic on 200.

Two single 20s leave double 20, but he will be back.

The Canadian's return starts with two darts over the bar before the third takes the set.

Just when Matt Campbell leads, Mensur Suljovic fires back with the first 180 of the match.

Not interested in letting Suljovic command the leg, Campbell picks out a 180 of his own. Also his first.

The Austrian gets three darts at double 16 for another hold of throw, landing the second.

Back with the darts on his throw, Matt Campbell gets six darts at 142 to regain his lead.

With the fifth, he takes the leg on double 20.

Mensur Suljovic has the throw for the first time in the match but on a 160 finish, is again treble-less, as was Matt Campbell when going at 136.

Suljovic comes back for the final 100. He takes it out on treble 20 and double 20, even with a missed dart in between, to level up.

Not with the darts to start the leg, Mensur Suljovic gets a chance at a first leg break, but is not near his required 157 total.

Matt Campbell's first go is on 116, which he takes out on double 20.

An excellent finish from the Canadian to start the match.

It is great to see Mensur Suljovic back on this stage after missing out on qualification 12 months ago.

He faces the reigning North American champion in Matt Campbell, who beat James Wade in the second round last year before suffering a third round exit at the hands of young Luke Littler.

Campbell to throw first, game on!

Image source, Getty Images

The tightest match, on paper at least, in the first round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship comes between Mensur Suljovic and Matt Campbell.

Just one place in PDC's order of merit separates the two, sitting 56th and 55th respectively.

Suljovic, who did not feature at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, has advanced to the second round or further in each of his last eight times he has qualified.

Campbell progressed to the third round 12 months ago before being beaten by Luke Littler.

In a tie that pits Austria against Canada, something has to give.

When it comes to averages, Nick Kenny and Stowe Buntz had identical scores throughout that match.

Winner Kenny averages 87.66 per three darts, with Buntz slightly behind on 87.26.

On the doubles, Kenny took nine of his 18 doubles at a rate of 50%.

Buntz' finishing rate was lower, only landing four of his 13 attempts.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

That's magnificent, absolutely wonderful from Nick Kenny. A moment to remember. He will play Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night.

A run of eight treble-less darts for Nick Kenny come at an unfortunate time, but he breaks it with a treble 17 and on his next visit, a 140.

The Welshman gets six darts at 170 for the match. Treble 20, treble 20. He gets the first two.

He gees himself up, utters "come on" to himself and takes the match in straight sets on bull.

Queue a huge roar from Kenny. What a way to win with the big fish.

A Saturday night date with Raymond van Barneveld awaits!

Stowe Buntz is not out of this match just yet, going 135, 180 in back-to-back visits to give him six darts at an out before Nick Kenny gets any.

He needs all six but does take the leg on double 16.

On we go.

Nick Kenny and Stowe Buntz put on a show in the second leg of this set, exchanging 180s on Kenny's throw.

The Welshman gets three darts at 139, which he does not take. Fortunately for him, Buntz also misses out on his maiden checkout attempt.

Kenny comes back to take the leg, landing dart three inside double five to finish off 80 and go within one leg of the second round.

Image source, Getty Images

Stowe Buntz starts the third set with the throw. He has to win three straight sets to avoid a second first round exit in as many years.

The leg starts with a 161 shootout, but neither take the finish.

Buntz gets a go at 91. A 17 and treble 14 precede a bend of the double 16 wire.

Nick Kenny does find double 16 after two singles on the same number to finish off 64.

By the way Becks, given your new-found interest in darts, you may well be following this live text.

Let us know how it's going - use #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

Is Victoria watching too!?

Teenage darts star Luke Littler has got his wish after a little dig at former England and Manchester United football captain David Beckham.

United fan Littler was sent a message of support by Beckham during his run to the world darts final in January.

But after picking up the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award on Tuesday night, Littler joked that Becks was still not following him on sociial media.

Well, that all looks to have changed...

Image source, Luke Littler

First round - Best of five sets

Second round - Best of five sets

Third round - Best of seven sets

Fourth round - Best of seven sets

Quarter-finals - Best of nine sets

Semi-finals - Best of 11 sets

Final - Best of 13 sets

Tie-breaks

First-round matches will not have a tie-break; if the fifth set reaches 2-2 in legs, then the fifth leg will be sudden death.

From the second round onwards, there will be a tie-break in all matches where a deciding set must be won by two clear legs. If the score in the final set reaches 5-5 then a sudden-death leg will be played. There would be no throw for the bull in any sudden-death legs.

• World Championship schedule, results, draw, forrmat

Nick Kenny just needs to hold his throw to win the second set and an 180 to open the leg puts him in a good spot to do so.

On 108, Kenny goes treble-less and is allowed three darts at 52.

An unplanned double 12 leaves two shots at double 14. He takes neither

Stowe Buntz has three darts on 24 and misses doubles on 12 and six.

Kenny is back at the double 14. Miss, miss, hit!

2-0 to the Welshman.

A hold of throw in this leg for Stowe Buntz would take the second set to a deciding leg.

Both men get to below 200 but not on a finish and as Buntz hits 95, Nick Kenny is treble-less.

On 86, Buntz goes 18, treble 18 and bull.

A brilliant last dart and we go to a decider.