Second seed Michael Smith knocked out out 3-2 by Kevin Doets at PDC World Championship
First round - Scott Williams wins thriller 3-1 against Niko Springer
Mensur Suljovic 2-3 Matt Campbell
Nick Kenny seals 3-0 win over Stowe Buntz with 170 finish
Second round: Michael Smith v Kevin Doets
Kenny 1-0 Buntz (2-0)
The second leg of this set leads to a 170 shootout after equal attempts, but neither Stowe Buntz or Nick Kenny go close.
Buntz then sets up 32 for his next visit but before he can try, Kenny pins 111.
Treble 19, single 18, double 18.
A great combination and a break of throw!
Kenny 1-0 Buntz (1-0)
Nick Kenny gets the second set under way perfectly for him, with his first 180 of the night.
After 12 darts, he gets three to take out 64.
Two single 16s and then one on the double take the opening leg on his throw.
Kenny 1-0 Buntz
Image source, Getty ImagesStowe Buntz may have lost the first set but he certainly cuts a dash on the Alexandra Palace stage.
It's more Miami than North London, and the American needs to match the swagger of his outfit now.
Kenny 1-0 Buntz
There is little to split Nick Kenny and Stowe Buntz as far as averages are concerned.
Kenny is ahead on 88.8, a cut above Buntz on 85.52.
On the doubles, Kenny has taken three of his six attempts, while Buntz has landed one of his four chances.
Kenny 1-0 Buntz
Since Stowe Buntz's first maximum of the night, he has seemed to be the man on top and a 119 to gives him the first sight of a finish on 120.
Three single 20s cut it in half and invite Nick Kenny back on 104, but he goes treble-less.
A trio of singles leave Buntz on 10 and with two darts at double 20, Kenny takes the set on his throw.
Kenny 0-0 Buntz (2-1)
Stowe Buntz has taken almost three legs to get going, but a 180 gives him three darts at double 14 to hold his throw.
The second of his attempts lands, which Buntz needed to avoid a first set whitewash.
Kenny 0-0 Buntz (2-0)
We are only two legs in, but Nick Kenny has used the board well and when on big finishes, is taking caution to leave easier outs.
He does exactly that on 161 to give him two darts at double 20, which he misses.
A bad visit from Stowe Buntz gives Kenny a reprieve and the Welshman takes the chance, doubling his lead with his fourth go at tops.
Kenny 0-0 Buntz (1-0)
Nick Kenny, going for an early break of throw, finds a 167 to set up 142.
Kenny takes a big dent in the 142, leaving three darts at double 20 with Stoew Buntz still a way back.
Kenny breaks the American's throw with one dart at tops.
Kenny v Buntz
Nick Kenny and Stowe Buntz are on the stage to kick off Thursday night's action.
Two players who are very unfancied for the tournament as a whole.
A second round tie with Raymond van Barneveld awaits.
Buntz to throw first, game on!
Kenny v Buntz (19:15 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesThursday night starts with a meeting between Nick Kenny and Stowe Buntz in the first round.
Welshman Kenny, ranked 76th in PDC's Order of Merit, is at his third World Championship. On debut, he made the second round in 2021, getting there after beating Derk Telnekes.
His opponent Buntz is unranked. A year ago, the American made his debut at this competition. Buntz lost 3-0 in the first round to Kevin Doets.
The winner will face former world champion Raymond van Barneveld in the second round on Saturday evening.
Image source, PA MediaDarts is one of the few sports that can measure perfection; snooker has the 147 maximum break, golf has the hole-in-one, darts has the nine-dart finish.
The fewest number of darts required to finish a standard leg of 501 points is nine.
There are several ways to complete a nine-dart finish, the most common being two visits of 180 followed by a 141 checkout.
The most recent nine-darter at the PDC World Championship before Christian Kist on Wednesday was from Michael Smith in his 2023 final win over Michael van Gerwen.
There is a method of completing a nine-darter with three identical visits of 167 - treble 20, treble 19, bull - although that is usually saved for the exhibition circuit rather than in tournament play!
Image source, Getty ImagesChristian Kist's nine-darter on Wednesday earned him an additional £60,000 in prize money.
It also earned a £60,000 donation to charity and £60,000 to a fan inside Alexandra Palace last night.
Read all about it in Frank Keogh's report from Wednesday here
Nathan Aspinall booked his placed in the third round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship with a 3-1 victory over Leonard Gates.
Elsewhere, Christian Kist recorded the first nine-darter of the 2025 competition, but lost 3-1 to Madars Razma.
First round
Paolo Nebrida 3-2 Jim Williams
Madars Razma 3-1 Christian Kist
Ricky Evans 3-2 Gordon Mathers
Second round
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Leonard Gates
Littler v Meikle (Sat, 21:15 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesTeenager Luke Littler has certainly had a year to remember.
This time last year, the then 16-year-old was ranked 164th in the world and preparing for his first outing at a PDC World Darts Championship.
A year on, Littler is the bookmakers' favourite to win the title next month, having finished second in this competition at the start of this year.
Littler has risen 160 places in the PDC Order of Merit and since his last Alexandra Palace bow, has won the Premier League, World Series and Grand Slam titles.
Fans of his will have to wait to see his first match, however. He gets under way in the second round on Saturday evening, taking on fellow Englishman Ryan Meikle.
#bbcdarts on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Image source, Getty ImagesWe want to hear your thoughts throughout the evening on tonight's matches and the tournament as a whole.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Who's your tip to win and why? Could an outsider cause a surprise?
Have your say using #bbcdarts on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply). Please leave your name on text messages.
Image source, Simon O'Connor/PDCIt has been a gripping Thursday already inside Alexandra Palace.
You can real all about it in Jonty Colman's Thursday afternoon report here
Image source, Getty ImagesThursday's afternoon session had plenty of entertainment and quality darts.
Hong Kong's Lok Yin Lee won nine straight legs to record a 3-1 first round victory over Dutchman Chris Landman.
Callan Rydz then posted a 107 average in his 3-0 victory over Romeo Grbavac, the highest first round average in world championship history.
The session ended with Gabriel Clemens suffering a shock second round exit to Wales' Robert Owen.
First round
Chris Landman 1-3 Lok Yin Lee
Callan Rydz 3-0 Romeo Grbavac
Martin Lukeman 3-1 Nitin Kumar
Second round
Gabriel Clemens 1-3 Robert Owen
All times in GMT
Image source, Getty ImagesThere are four fixtures to look forward to tonight.
The first three come in the first round, with the last being a second round tie involving 2023 world champion Michael Smith.
First round
Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz - 19:15
Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell - 20:15
Scott Williams v Niko Springer - 21:15
Second round
Michael Smith v Kevin Doets - 22:15
Image source, Getty ImagesHello and welcome to our live text for Thursday's evening session at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.
On Wednesday, we saw plenty of shocks and the first nine-darter of the tournament, scored by Christian Kist.
Michael Smith, the 2023 world champion, is in action this evening in one of four matches.
We've also had an entertaining session this afternoon and before tonight's fixtures, we will take you through what has already happened today, as well as what is to come this evening.