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23:35 GMT - That will do it for tonight! Join us again tomorrow when Luke Littler finally takes to the oche, where he will be joined by the likes of Raymond van Barneveld, Chris Dobey and Damon Heta. Goodnight!
23:30 GMT - And with that, here's a rundown of all of today's results from Alexandra Palace:
Afternoon session
Stephen Burton 0-3 Alexander Merkx (R1)
Wessel Nijman 3-2 Cameron Carolissen (R1)
Ian White beat Sandro Eric Sosing due to withdrawal (R1)
Stephen Bunting 3-1 Kai Gotthardt (R2)
Evening session
Mickey Mansell 3-1 Tomoya Goto (R1)
Florian Hempel 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (R1)
William O'Connor 1-3 Dylan Slevin (R1)
Michael van Gerwen 3-0 James Hurrell (R2)
23:22 GMT - Michael van Gerwen beats James Hurrell 3-0!
Van Gerwen runs in his fourth maximum to set up a chance at an early break. Hurrell messes up his out, allows Van Gerwen back in and he makes no mistake on tops.
The Dutchman looks like he's enjoying himself up there as he returns to double 20 to finish, which he does. One more leg to win to reach round three.
Hurrell displays some life after finding a finish quickly – 121 specifically and he takes it out! It may be prolonging the inevitable, but he's showing some fight.
Hurrell nearly takes out a brilliant 150, missing it by one dart and invites Van Gerwen back up. With double 2 left, MVG nails it to win the match and book his place in the third round.
Job done and a cool 95 average for the three-time world champion.
23:08 GMT - It's looking pretty good for Van Gerwen...
He is looking ruthless he fires in his second 180 of the match en route to the first leg of the second set. He's averaging more than a ton so far.
More of the same as Hurrell looks to be in a spot of bother. Van Gerwen has the 120 again but doesn't take it out, but instead takes out 60 on double 20.
Van Gerwen looks to be strolling towards the second set but is uncharacteristically wayward as Hurrell races down to 24... and takes it out! A break back out of nowhere.
Leg four becomes a bit messy as Van Gerwen squanders several set darts and Hurrell bizarrely busts up at 140. He eventually pins double 6 – edging ever closer by using all three darts – to go 2-0 up.
22:53 GMT - Van Gerwen hits the Shanghai for the first set!
Hurrell has the darts to open the leg and takes advantage by holding throw on the back of a 13-dart leg.
But Van Gerwen steps up and hits back on tops after 78. The first MVG roar and fist pump of the night is out already.
Hurrell looks to be up against it already and misses a couple of doubles, allowing Van Gerwen to come in. He doesn't finish initially but makes no mistake the second time around on double 16 to break.
Van Gerwen races down to a finish and leaves himself a Shanghai 120... and he takes it! What a way to win the first set – he enjoyed that one and so did the Ally Pally crowd.
22:32 GMT - Rounding off the night with a heavyweight name as three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen begins his tournament with a second-round clash against England's James Hurrell.
Van Gerwen has not won the World Championship since 2019 and he'll want to get off on the right foot here.
22:29 GMT - Dylan Slevin beats William O'Connor 3-1!
The momentum has shifted towards O'Connor who – despite making a hash of the leg – comes back to take out 52 via double 16.
The second leg turns into a big mess! Slevin struggles on double 6 then O'Connor steps up and busts on the wrong double. Slevin is onto double 3 and misses and O'Connor comes back up and nails double 8 to break. Could Slevin rue this leg?
Slevin stops the rot after O'Connor fails to hit the Big Fish finish of 170, hitting double 10 and breaking back.
Slevin sets up tops with O'Connor seemingly miles away, but he lands a crucial maximum. O'Connor has 138 left but can't erase it and Slevin takes out his double to move within one leg of victory.
O'Connor has a bit of a tough time on his throw and Slevin has double 10 left to hit. He pins either side of it then lands double 5 to win the all-Irish encounter!
22:16 GMT - O'Connor grabs himself a lifeline!
That's better from O'Connor as he breaks Slevin's throw instantly in the third set. It came after Slevin missed his double from 68.
Slevin breaks straight back, though, after taking out 25 with O'Connor not doing much up at 112.
It's see-sawing now and O'Connor grabs the break back again to get rid of 52. There is a rise in tempo, but neither player can hold their throw!
O'Connor does hold his throw to take the second set and reel his way back into the match! He takes out 70 to cut the deficit to 2-1.
22:03 GMT - Slevin goes two up and O'Connor is in danger of an exit!
O'Connor comes close to a stellar 154 checkout but misses his double and Slevin steps up to take out 70 and earn an early break in the second.
O'Connor is pretty far back which lets Slevin keep composed on double 5 after missing out on a Shanghai 120.
It's not going smoothly for O'Connor as he fumbles three set darts but is able to come back to grab one leg back. Slevin will throw for a two-set lead...
A timely maximum from Slevin pressures O'Connor. He has 68 to take out which he does on double 4 to grab the set. It's not looking good for O'Connor here.
21:50 GMT - Slevin takes the lead!
It's O'Connor who deals the first break and he need a few attempts at it, coming back to pin double 8 to get the ball rolling.
Slevin has 110 for the break back but isn't quite on it. O'Connor misses a couple of doubles and Slevin returns to take out double 6 to square things up.
Back on throw, Slevin holds with an unconventional 86 to lead 2-1 in legs. Not that he'll mind that.
Good stuff from O'Connor as he comes back with a strong leg to take out 52. It ends with the pair bumping fists as we head into the deciding leg.
Slevin is so close to hitting double 20 on 58 and allows O'Connor to step up. He can't remove 78 and Slevin gets the job done on tops to claim set one.
21:37 GMT - O'Connor comes out to "Zombie" by The Cranberries and that gets the Ally Pally crowd right up for this one.
Slevin, who will throw first, also seems to be living it up on the stage as he waits for his compatriot.
21:33 GMT - The night rolls on and we have a good one to look forward to now, with a rare all-Irish encounter between William O'Connor and Dylan Slevin.
The winner will earn a juicy second-round clash against Dimitri Van den Bergh of Belgium, who is the world number 11.
21:27 GMT - Florian Hempel beats Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-1!
De Zwaan isn't going away! He breaks again on 62 to open the fourth set to leave Hempel bemused and a little irritated!
Leg two turns into an absolute mess! De Zwaan misses three darts at double and is left on double 1 then busts his score the next turn when down on double 2. Hempel also busts, but finally hits double 3 to break.
Hempel puts that strange leg away and ramps up the quality to take a 2-1 lead in legs after wowing with a 120 Shanghai checkout!
De Zwaan is so close to forcing a deciding leg after narrowly missing two darts at double 9, but Hempel seals the deal on double 10.
A really entertaining encounter after what was a bit of a slog in the first match.
21:17 GMT - De Zwaan is on the board with a ton-plus checkout!
De Zwaan races out the traps to open the third set, holding comfortably after getting down to 32. He pins in one dart and doesn't offer Hempel a chance of an out.
Hempel sets up to 52 with De Zwaan a way back and has no issues with his finishing by pinning double 16. He's averaging an impressive 54 per cent on the doubles in this match.
De Zwaan adds a second leg in the set on the back of his sixth maximum of the game and takes out 52 with Hempel lurking.
Hempel then makes a mess of tops and invites De Zwaan back up – and he takes out 111 brilliantly for the break and the set!
21:05 GMT - Hempel doubles up and is closing in on a speedy win.
De Zwaan has the chance to break to kick off set two but misses double 16, allowing Hempel back up to hold on tops.
Tops causes a problem for De Zwaan this time as he misses. Hempel needs it and finds the bed to break the Dutchman and now throws for the second set.
Hempel threatens a 164 out but just misses the bull. De Zwaan comes back with a timely 180 but it renders irrelevant as Hempel hits double 15 at the second attempt for the set.
He's well on his way to another first-round win here at Ally Pally.
20:55 GMT - Hempel seizes the first set!
Quick start from Hempel and De Zwaan as they both hit 180s with their first throw. Hempel can't take out 106, but De Zwaan can on tops to hold.
The maximums are flying in one as they both add to their tallies. Hempel, though, hits tops this time to level the legs.
Hempel is feeling it out there as he attacks the De Zwaan throw, eventually breaking for the first of the night on double 18.
The Germans speeds down to 40, misses his first arrow then a poor second leaves him needing double 7, which he pins superbly to take the first set.
We could be in for a good one here as Hempel and De Zwaan averaged 104 and 103 respectively.
20:42 GMT - Moving swiftly on, the next match sees Florian Hempel take on Jeffrey de Zwaan in another first-round tie.
Germany's Hempel has never lost in the first round at Ally Pally.
20:35 GMT - Mickey Mansell beats Tomoya Goto 3-1!
That set on the board seems to have given Goto a boost as he takes out tops to break with Mansell nowhere close to a finish.
But Mansell breaks back! He bludgeons a 91 score and roars with a fist bump – maybe to get him back engaged?
Goto squanders a golden chance to break then throw for the set, but he misses three at double 20. Mansell steps back up and hits tops himself to take the leg and move one away from the win.
Goto doesn't let that deter him, though, as he hits double 16 to send the third straight set into a decider. But Mansell with throw for the match...
Goto has the opportunity for the win but it is nowhere near close to the bull. Mansell comes in with three match darts at double 10 and pins one right in the corner!
A match lasting nearly one hour is over – certainly not one for the history books.
20:17 GMT - Goto wins set three to get on the board.
Mansell makes a hash of his checkout and squanders a chance to break. Goto comes back in and takes out 74 in what is a very big hold for him.
Goto looks to keep the momentum and threatens on Mansell's throw, leaving 8 with the Northern Irishman still not on a finish. He gets it, breaking for the lead in set three.
Mansell returns the favour to break back after Goto can't take out 72. Mansell finds double 5 to chop Goto's leg lead to 2-1.
Both players struggle with their scoring in leg four as Mansell busts then Goto misses. Mansell finally pins double 10 and sends it into another deciding leg.
Goto scores well on throw in the decider and sets up 32 with Mansell way back. He pins double 16 to get on the board in the match.
19:52 GMT - Mansell picks up where he left off but can't convert on 116. He comes back to land double 18 and claim leg one.
Goto then fires in his first 180 of the match but is soon followed by Mansell's maiden maximum. Mansell can't take out 161 and Goto – with just 16 – hits double 8 on his second dart to level.
Goto is way back on Mansell's throw and the Northern Irishman has all the time to think things through, wiping out 108 for his biggest checkout of the match.
But Goto hits back! The Japanese sees Mansell's ton out and smacks a 110 to send the set into a decider, with his opponent on throw.
It's tight as both players creep down. Goto has 85 left and misses the bull, allowing Mansell to come back up and take out double 12 to take a 2-0 sets lead.
19:34 GMT - Mansell hits the front in the first set.
Goto and Mansell are two pretty composed players and the Japanese holds in leg one to get things underway.
Mansell holds his throw convincingly, nailing double 20 in one with Goto a distance behind.
Goto puts in an underwhelming third leg and Mansell sets up 40 to break. He misses all two darts but hits double 10 to take a 2-1 lead.
Mansell nearly takes the set with a 105 checkout but just misses tops. However, he returns and hits his target to claim the first set.
19:10 GMT - Getting things going this evening is world number 42 Mickey Mansell against Tomoya Goto of Japan in round one.
Northern Ireland's Mansell enters the World Championship in decent form, coming off the back of a run to the Grand Slam semi-finals.
18:40 GMT - Good evening and welcome back to Flashscore's Darts Tracker ahead of the evening session of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace!
World number three Michael van Gerwen takes to the oche at the top of the evening as he begins his journey for a fourth title in London.
Here's what's in store ahead of play, which begins at 19:15 GMT:
Mickey Mansell v Tomoya Goto (R1)
Florian Hempel v Jeffrey de Zwaan (R1)
William O'Connor v Dylan Selvin (R1)
Michael van Gerwen v James Hurrell (R2)
16:25 GMT - Wrapping up the afternoon session, let's recap everything that went down in the first half of World Championship action today:
– Stephen Bunting survived an early scare to defeat Kai Gotthardt 3-1 and progress through to the third round.
– Sandro Eric Sosing was forced to withdraw moments before his first-round match against Ian White after citing chest pains while practising.
– Dutch talent Wessel Nijman won 3-2 in a thriller against Cameron Carolissen, while England's Stephen Burton was beaten by Alexander Merkx.
16:13 GMT - Some good stuff on show throughout the afternoon session – even with it being shortened slightly.
Hit singer Ed Sheeran was spotted taking in the sights and sounds of Ally Pally and was egged on to down a pint by the ever-boisterous crowd.
15:57 GMT - Stephen Bunting beats Kai Gotthardt 3-1
More of the same from Bunting to open the set as he takes command with a gorgeous 108 checkout, strengthening his hold on the match.
He makes it six legs in a row as he eventually outs on double 10 after a couple of wayward darts. Gotthardt is looking for answers as he all of a sudden looks totally beaten.
Bunting extends it to seven by taking out 68 to come from a set down and progress to round three.
He had a slow start, but he ends the match averaging up towards a ton in the final two sets.
15:50 GMT - Bunting has a new lease of life and takes a 2-1 lead.
Bunting appears to have awoken as he takes out tops to break with Gotthardt miles away. Four of the last five legs have gone his way.
He consolidates the break with a hold of throw. It's not too convincing, but he eventually takes out double 4 and moves within a leg of a 2-1 lead.
Gotthardt has the chance to keep the set alive but misses tops, which is then hit by Bunting to claim the frame.
15:40 GMT - Bunting levels after being gifted set two!
Gotthardt is showing no signs of slowing down as he lands another maximum and later takes out 48 to break Bunting's throw again and take an early set two lead.
Needing a spark, Bunting issues his response by pinning tops to earn the break back for 1-1.
'The Bullet' is still not in flow state as of yet but he holds throw by taking out double 2 after a couple of blips beforehand.
Bunting has the chance to take the set. He doesn't and is quickly punished by Gotthardt with some really good finishing as he takes out 85. Into a deciding leg.
Bunting receives a huge let-off after Gotthardt botches three set darts on the double. He'd essentially given up on the set, but returns to steal it!
15:25 GMT - Gotthardt surprises to win the first set!
A cagey opening leg drops the way of Gotthardt, who registers the first 180 of the match and comes back to nail double 12.
Bunting responds but it's not convincing either, pinning double 16 to get his name on the board.
In leg three, Gotthardt adds another maximum and takes out double 4 to put himself in good stead.
The German launches an attack on Bunting's throw and takes out 63 to record the first set and leave 'The Bullet' in an early spot of bother.
15:08 GMT - White and Sosing's match being cancelled has brought forward the afternoon's headline encounter between Stephen Bunting and Kai Gotthardt, which gets underway shortly.
Bunting – winner of this year's Masters – is a big fan favourite here at Ally Pally and he'll be looking to deliver for his vast support.
14:53 GMT - Some unfortunate news ahead of the day's next match and Sandro Eric Sosing has withdrawn on medical grounds.
Sosing cited chest pains while practising and is currently undergoing medical supervision at Ally Pally.
His opponent Ian White has received a bye into the second round.
14:48 GMT - The action this afternoon continues with Ian White taking on Sandro Eric Sosing of the Phillippines.
White is targeting an all-English round-two match against Ritchie Edhouse.
14:42 GMT - Wessel Nijman beats Cameron Carolissen 3-2!
The pressure is on both players, particularly Carolissen as he opens throw in the fifth. But he consolidates after a pause and a big breath to take 61 in leg one.
Carolissen pressures the Nijman throw with a timely 180 and 125, but it's the latter who nails double 8 to draw level.
It doesn't deter Carolissen, though, as he hammers in 62 to hold his throw and move within one leg of the match.
Nijman responds with a super 11-darter to send this super match into a final-leg decider. Grandstand finish coming...
Nijman threatens against the throw and returns after missing the bull, eventually taking out his double to win a simply brilliant match.
Both Nijman, who plays Joe Cullen next, and Carolissen averaged over a ton in that final set.
14:30 GMT - Carolissen forces the match into a decider!
Set four begins in really messy fashion as both players struggle to nail their doubles, but Carolissen uses a first-dart guide on double 1 to break and win his fourth leg in succession.
Nijman breaks straight back after taking out 36, but having been let off the hook by Carolissen's wayward finishing on double 9.
Nijman then backs his throw with a lovely 115 finish to put the pressure back on Carolisen with one leg until victory.
Carolissen obliges by taking out 61 to force the pressure back on Nijman to throw for the match.
Nijman threatens to take out 138 but his second dart clips off the barrel and away from treble 19, allowing Carolissen to step up and take out 16 for 2-2 in sets!
14:17 GMT - Carolissen cuts Nijman's lead to 2-1!
Carolissen opens up with a double-double, not by design it must be said as he takes the first leg.
The South African then powers forward with a strong break of Nijman's throw, taking out double 6 for a 2-0 lead to haul himself back into the picture.
Carolissen brings himself back up from a slow start in leg three to wipe out 68 to grab the third set.
14:04 GMT - Nijman snags a 2-0 lead.
Nijman's on a roll as he reels off his fourth successive leg, although it's one he'll be glad to get through as he and Carolissen score fairly poorly.
It's a better response from Carolissen after that, though, notching his first leg of the match under pressure from a Nijman maximum.
Normal service resumes in leg three as Nijman, averaging in the 90s, hits tops to move one away from the second set.
But it's not so fast as Carolissen sends it to a deciding leg after a really confident 84 out.
It's a brilliant fifth leg from both players as Carolissen has a set dart on bull, but he misses and allows Nijman to step up and land double 20 for the set.
13:47 GMT - It's first blood to Nijman in set one.
Carolissen comes out the blocks with a 180 and eventually gets down to 34, but misses three darts at double 12. It allows Nijman to come back and take out 139 brilliantly from under his nose!
Carolissen is throwing well and averaging above 100, but it's clinical stuff from Nijman who consolidates for a 2-0 legs lead via the bull.
Both players struggle to convert as they both get down to finishes with Carolissen wayward, leaving Nijman to come in and punish for the first frame. Carolissen has failed on each of his 10 checkout attempts so far.
13:34 GMT - Next up, talented Dutchman Wessel Nijman has a first-round clash against Cameron Carolissen of South Africa.
Joe Cullen awaits the winner of this one in round two.
13:28 GMT - Alexander Merkx beats Stephen Burton 3-0
Burton comes out much better to open the third set, breaking early on tops on the back of a well-timed maximum.
Merkx responds well on Burton's throw but fades slightly, eventually putting away his marker on double 8 with Burton scoring poorly.
The Dutchman consolidates the break back to hold throw, hitting double 16 with plenty of darts in hand to put him on the verge of round two.
Burton gets down well in leg four and hits double 10 to draw 2-2 in legs and send set to a decider.
Burton has a chance to take the set but misses his double and allows Merkx to clean out 72, which he does to win the match.
13:13 GMT - Burton is faltering and Merkx is up 2-0.
Burton continues to struggle as Merkx races away against the throw, nailing tops for an early break.
Merkx's average rises as he consolidates his throw by nailing a tops out once again, moving up to 2-0 in legs.
Burton comes back and takes charge of leg three, pinning double 16 to get on the board and earn a much-needed leg.
The fourth leg becomes very scrappy with both players struggling to hit their doubles, but Merkx eventually pulls through to land double 4 after missing six set darts and now has a 2-0 lead.
13:01 GMT - Merkx wins the first set on his Ally Pally debut!
Merx grabs the first leg after Burton misses tops, firing in on double 10.
Merkx follows up with the first 180 of the match but can't capitalise on his outs, allowing Burton to scoop up a lovely 100 finish for 1-1.
Merkx hits another maximum and gets down to 24 and again isn't clinical, but he's allowed to return and pins his double.
He has 170 on the table but can't hit the bull, although he comes back as Burton struggles and lands double 16 to take the opening set.
12:32 GMT - Up first this afternoon at Ally Pally we have Stephen Burton versus Alexander Merkx in a round one match.
The winner here will play world number 15 Chris Dobey on Saturday afternoon.
12:15 GMT - Day five of the World Championship served up some superb action, which was highlighted by former champion Michael Smith's exit to Kevin Doets after a 10-leg tie-break.
Last year's semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens was also knocked out, losing to Welshman Robert Owen.
12:05 GMT - We continue with three first-round matches this afternoon with England's Stephen Burton playing Alexander Merkx and Ian White facing Sandro Eric Sosing of the Philippines among those.
The session concludes with a round two clash between fan favourite Stephen Bunting and Kai Gotthardt, who dispatched Alan Soutar last time out.
12:00 GMT - Good afternoon and welcome to Flashscore's Darts Tracker on day six of the 2024/25 World Darts Championship – live from Alexandra Palace in London!