Ryan Joyce just has to hold his throw to level the match, but another 180 from Danny Noppert puts him comfortably in front in this leg.

Two more treble 20s leave Noppert the chance to take out 54 for an 11-dart leg.

Noppert gives Joyce a reprieve, again missing doubles 20 and 10.

Joyce gets one dart at double 16 and he takes it for the set!

Danny Noppert starts the fourth leg of the second set with a 180 and when dart four only finds a single 20, the sarcastic boos from the Alexandra Palace crowd come.

Noppert remains in control of the leg, picking out treble 18 to recover from a stray dart into treble seven.

With six darts to see off 131, the first three leave 74.

Getting one dart at double 20, Noppert can only split it in half but he comes back to win the leg on double 10.

Back on his throw, Ryan Joyce is on course for a second leg victory in a row, getting six darts at 137.

The first three buy him a full visit to see off double eight, which he does at the third time of asking.

A couple of two-treble visits from Ryan Joyce allow him the chance to break back in this second set, even after having to put a flight back into his dart as it flew out mid throw.

Joyce gets at least six darts to see off 164 and with the first three, he leaves himself a double 18 finish.

Joyce breaks it with his second go at the double in a 14-dart leg.

Ryan Joyce starts the second set with the darts, looking to bounce back.

Another 171 from Danny Noppert gets him down to 135, which he will get six darts to take out.

Trebles at 20, two and six leave 51, which he finishes off on double 20 for a break of throw.

Noppert completely bossed that leg.

I mean, where do you even start with this?!

Image source, Kieran Cleeves/PDC

In the first set, Danny Noppert has dominated the scoring. He's averaged 96.48 per three darts, while Ryan Joyce has been back at 85.38.

The doubles have been a struggle for both men. Noppert has only taken three of his 12 darts at a double, going at a success rate of 25%.

Joyce has only taken one of his five chances.

James Gregg
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter at Alexandra Palace

The queue to get in earlier on was absolutely buzzing. This is the hottest ticket in town…and don’t the punters know it.

I’ve been here every night so far and this is the most buzz I’ve felt. The Nuke is in the building.

Danny Noppert is getting more into a groove now!

He takes out a 171 with a hat-trick of treble 19s to leave a 94 out to win the set.

The Dutchman pins treble 18 but again, misses doubles 20 and 10.

Ryan Joyce comes back with a chance to level on a 66 finish, but goes wide of double 16.

Noppert takes the set on double five.

So far, whoever has started the leg without the darts has gone on to win it.

A first 180 of the night from Danny Noppert gives him a great chance of ending this series of breaks.

Noppert follows that maximum up with a 141 to leave double 20. That's six perfect darts.

On his return, Noppert splits double 20 and double 10 in half before busting to give himself three more darts at tops.

Noppert takes it this time in one dart to hold the leg.

Danny Noppert gets an early bounce out to limit what was already a convincing second leg lead.

Ryan Joyce gets down to a 123 finish with a 140, but Noppert is invited to take out 40 to level.

On dart three, Noppert breaks back on double 10.

A tightly-fought opening leg, Ryan Joyce takes a slight advantage after scoring a 140 to set up 117.

With Danny Noppert waiting on 54, Joyce goes treble 20, 17, 20 to fall short.

Noppert gets two darts at a double but misses at 20 and 10.

Joyce lands his third attempt at the 10s for a break of throw.

It is the earliest that an evening session opening match has taken place all week. Even the organisers can't wait to get tonight started!

Danny Noppert gets a good reception on his way to the stage as he looks to reach the third round for the fifth time in seven years.

Joyce, a quarter-finalist six years ago, is hoping to cause an upset.

Noppert will get this match under way, game on!

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's four second-round fixtures start with a meeting between Dutchman Danny Noppert and England's Ryan Joyce.

Noppert, who is ranked 13th in the PDC's Order of Merit, is at his seventh World Championship in a row but is yet to progress past the third round.

Joyce booked his spot in the second round with a 3-1 win over Lithuania's Darius Labanauskas on Tuesday.

The winner will meet either Ryan Searle or Matt Campbell in the third round after Christmas.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

Ryan Meikle is a very good darts player. He has the ability to cause Luke Littler some problems, if he plays his best. Ryan Meikle can impact this game.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

He's been the perfect player and has had a lot of media to deal with. The impact he's made has been incredible. There's been setbacks but that's what have made his performances even more impressive. He'll be itching to get up there. He wants that trophy.

Image source, Getty Images

Teenager 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.

He gets under way in the second round tonight, taking on fellow Englishman Ryan Meikle.

Mysteron Voice on X: Probably been said many times already, but the bottom half of the draw now looking softer than ever, and there's a big chance for someone to make a name for themselves and get to the final.

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Littler is the bookmakers' favourite for the world title despite being seeded to face defending champion Luke Humphries in the semi-finals.

Is Littler your pick to lift the Sid Waddell trophy on 3 January? Maybe Humphries again, or someone else?

We want to hear who you are backing and why.

Take a look at the draw and let us know your thoughts, using #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply). Please use your name on text messages.

And give a thumbs up if you think Littler will win - down if not.

Image source, Getty Images

This evening session is the most star-studded one yet at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.

As well as Luke Littler, who is very much the star attraction tonight, former world champion Raymond van Barneveld and world number nine Damon Heta are both also in action.

Second round

Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce - 19:15

Raymond van Barneveld v Nick Kenny - 20:15

Luke Littler v Ryan Meikle - 21:15

Damon Heta v Connor Scutt - 22:15