Darts
PDC World Darts Championship 2025: Day Two Afternoon Results, James Wade OUT
Alan Soutar fell to German debutant Kai Gotthardt, Jermaine Wattimena crushed James Wade, while more Ally Pally drama awaits.
PDC / Taylor Lanning
The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship rolled into its second day with an action-packed afternoon session at Alexandra Palace. Fans were treated to three thrilling first-round clashes, each showcasing the tension and excitement that defines this iconic tournament.
Capping off the afternoon’s entertainment, Jermaine Wattimena returned to the stage fresh from his victory in last night’s session. The Dutchman faced a formidable opponent in veteran James Wade, delivering a high-stakes showdown that kept the Ally Pally crowd on edge.
Wesley Plaisier vs. Ryusei Azemoto
Day Two kicked off with an encounter between two Ally Pally debutants.
For Challenge Tour qualifier Wesley Plaisier, victory carried the added incentive of breaking into the PDC’s top 64 and relegating Aussie darts legend Simon Whitlock out of the Order of Merit.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto, a 29-year-old rising star from the PDC Asian Tour, sought to make a name for himself on the sport’s biggest stage.
Azemoto stunned the London crowd early on, racing out of the blocks to claim the first set in dominant fashion. His sharp finishing and fearless play made an instant impression, but the intensity of the opening exchanges proved hard to sustain.
As the match progressed, it evolved into a more evenly contested affair, with neither player able to find consistent rhythm.
After four sets of back-and-forth drama, the final set saw the two players locked at two legs apiece, with the outcome hanging by a thread. It was Plaisier’s greater experience, including a Players Championship Pro Tour title earlier this year, that ultimately tipped the scales. The Dutchman held his nerve to clinch victory and book a second-round meeting with two-time world champion Peter Wright.
Azemoto exits with his head held high, having given the Ally Pally faithful a glimpse of his potential, while Plaisier marches on in his quest for further glory.
PDC / Taylor Lanning
Luke Woodhouse vs. Lourence Ilagan
Luke Woodhouse delivered a dominant performance in one of the more intriguing first-round matchups at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. Chasing a coveted spot in the world’s top 32, Woodhouse faced Asian qualifier Lourence Ilagan, who had recently impressed in his Grand Slam debut earlier this year.
Woodhouse came out firing, producing a scintillating spell that saw him win the first seven legs without reply, leaving Ilagan struggling to find his footing. The Filipino showed flashes of resilience in the third set, pushing it to a decider, but Woodhouse’s control and consistency proved too much.
In the end, ‘Woody’ sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory, showcasing the form that could make him a dark horse in the tournament. However, a formidable challenge awaits him in the next round, as he prepares to take on reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.
Alan Soutar vs. Kai Gotthardt
Alan Soutar, the first Scot to step onto the Ally Pally stage this year, faced off against 29-year-old German debutant Kai Gotthardt in a gripping encounter at the World Darts Championship. Gotthardt earned his spot through the PDC Europe Super League, while Soutar, sporting his signature tartan trousers, was aiming to replicate his previous last-16 appearances.
From the outset, Soutar found himself up against more than just his opponent, as the raucous London crowd taunted him with chants of “Scotland get battered, everywhere they go.” The atmosphere added an extra layer of intensity to the contest.
A bizarre moment unfolded mid-match when Gotthardt managed to snap the barrel of one of his darts. Referee George Noble escorted the German off stage to find a replacement, causing a brief delay. Meanwhile, Soutar remained on stage, playfully engaging with the crowd and keeping the electric atmosphere alive.
Despite the dart drama, Gotthardt showed impressive composure, seizing on Soutar’s missed chances to secure a decisive 3-1 victory. The Scot struggled to find consistency, allowing the German debutant to claim the biggest win of his career so far.
Gotthardt’s reward is a clash against crowd favourite Stephen Bunting in the next round, promising another thrilling matchup on the Ally Pally stage.
PDC / Taylor Lanning
James Wade vs. Jermaine Wattimena
Recent European Championship finalist Jermaine Wattimena returned to the Ally Pally stage with less than a day's rest to face four-time World Championship semi-finalist James Wade in a second-round clash.
Despite Wade entering as the seeded player, it was Wattimena who displayed the sharper form. The Dutchman dominated proceedings, restricting The Machine to just two legs in the entire match. Wattimena's commanding performance extended Wade's miserable run at Alexandra Palace, where he hasn’t secured a win in three years.
With this emphatic victory, Wattimena not only knocked out the first seed but also earned a well-deserved break over Christmas. He’ll return to action to take on the winner of Wesley Plaisier and Peter Wright in the next round.
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