Florian Hempel gets down to a finish first on 121. The bull start works, but he cannot get the rest.

Hempel comes back to a hat-trick of missed doubles. Two at 20s, one at the tens.

Gurney takes out 72 on double three for a first leg break of throw.

Image source, Getty Images

After Shaun Williamson's surprise singalong earlier, Daryl Gurney orchestrates the Alexandra Palace crowd to bring us a second rendition at "Sweet Caroline" of the night.

Two people you'd have probably never thought would cross paths, alas.

Florian Hempel is looking to follow on from German compatriot Ricardo Pietreczko with a second-round upset.

Hempel to throw first, game on!

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney is up next. He faces Germany's Florian Hempel.

Gurney, the number 26 seed, is a two-time World Championship quarter-finalist. Those two runs to the last eight came in 2018 and 2021.

He faces Hempel who was a 3-1 winner over Dutch qualifier Jeffrey de Zwaan in the first round on Friday night.

The winner of this match will face Jonny Clayton, who overcame Mickey Mansell earlier today in a five-set thriller, in the third round.

Florian Hempel talking to Sky Sports: "I'm feeling very well. I'm happy to be here again in round two and I'm looking forward to tonight's game. I have a couple of friends here and they will cheer me to a win I hope.

"I love coming here and playing in front of this crowd at this iconic place. It is the biggest thing for a sportsman or woman - I don't know why I play so good here, but it is good.

"I'm happy that darts is becoming bigger and bigger in Germany. I hope they will be cheering for me. It is a good feeling that so many people are watching the games and coming here to be in the crowd."

Image source, Getty Images

Ricardo Pietreczko speaks to Sky Sports following his 3-1 win over Gian van Veen: "It's really important for me because it's a very [bad] game for me in the draw."

On his 55.56% double success rate: "50% on doubles? I can't speak on the doubles. I don't know, I'm over the moon."

On Alexandra Palace: "I love the big stage and I love the crowd here. Thank you very much."

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

A brilliant win from Ricardo Pietreczko. He almost beat Luke Humphries last year, but this year he's beat Gian van Veen. The difference was his finishing class.

Image source, PA Media

Ricardo Pietreczko only has to hold his throw in this leg to win the match and book his place into the third round.

The onus is on Gian van Veen to win back-to-back legs to level the match and a 140 gives him a lead in the leg.

Van Veen gets three darts on 77 but goes low on double 20.

Pietreczko gets two match darts on double 20. In one, he finds the segment!

Gian van Veen becomes the 12th seed to exit in the second round.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

I am so impressed by Ricardo Pietreczko. We said earlier his doubling was his strength and that has proven to be the case.

People will say this isn't a shock but it is.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

That was a brilliant succession of visits from Ricardo Pietreczko.

Image source, Kieran Cleeves/PDC

Gian van Veen really has to hold his throw for the two legs in this set he has it for.

A 144 is left, but Ricardo Pietreczko is waiting on 104.

Van Veen comes back to leave 67 but gifts the German two darts at double eight for a break of throw.

The first one is pinned. A big leg victory.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

At this stage you feel that Ricardo Pietreczko will be happy to send this set to a fifth leg and have a crack from there.

Ricardo Pietreczko and Gian van Veen both get down to finishes in the 140s in what feels like a big leg in the match.

Pietreczko leaves 60 from 147 while Van Veen takes 144 down by a century.

Pikachu gets two darts at double 20, landing the second.

Gian van Veen will take confidence in the fact he held the set on his throw so far in this match.

The Dutchman gets six darts at 127 and with the second visit, misses doubles at 16 and eight.

Ricardo Pietreczko allows Van Veen back and he gladly obliges, finishing off on double four.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Gian van Veen is going to have to get better and this is where you find out so much about yourself.

Gian van Veen has to break Ricardo Pietreczko's throw and win two legs after it to avoid going 2-1 down.

Pietreczko gets a 104 out chance but can only set up 56. Van Veen allows him back, unable to see off 140.

For the 2-1 set lead, he pins double 20 in one.

Gian van Veen gets a 149 out for a hold of throw but Ricardo Pietreczko is waiting on 74, which he will get a go at.

Two singles leave double 20 and he finds the bottom left corner of the segment to double his lead in the third set.

Ricardo Pietreczko does have the advantage of starting set three, and a fifth if we need it, with the throw.

It means Gian van Veen would have to break in at least one set for a match victory.

The German sets up a 122 out with Van Veen waiting on 146.

Pietreczko takes the lot! Treble 18, double 18, double 16. What a finish.

Image source, PA Media

A much better second set from Gian van Veen, who now is up at an average of 91.78 per three darts. Ricardo Pietreczko is only a fraction behind at 90.58.

On the doubles, Van Veen took three out of three darts in the second set and is 25% for the match. Pietreczko is 36.4%.

Averages and scores level, Ricardo Pietreczko and Gian van Veen are trading blows in the second set.

Pietreczko is at an out first. On 117, Pikachu goes a whisker over the bar at double 20.

Van Veen pounces to see off 78 with one dart at double 20.

We're level in this match.

Gian van Veen fires in a 135 on his throw to get a full visit at 73 for a hold of throw.

The Dutchman gets one dart at double 20 and pins it after a 19 and 14 set up.