The Main Event
A reduced schedule tomorrow sees four matches in one evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
The Asp has endured a disappointing season and dropped outside of the top 10 in the world rankings as a result.
The Stockport man is confident, however, he can erase the memory of last year’s opening-match defeat to Ricky Evans and go deep at Alexandra Palace having changed his build up.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I took a different approach. I didn’t do any exhibitions, I just practised, practised, practised and you know what, I was playing really well going into the Worlds.
“I did a lot of hours with Michael Smith, but obviously, we all know how that ended.
“This year, I thought you know what, I’m going to work, I’m going to do a lot of exhibitions, a lot of shows, but not on my own. With these big productions where you’re playing on big stages. I’ve played in front of 10,000 in two nights. What better practice than that you know?”
Gates dances his way into round two! 🕺
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2024
Aspinall has struggled for fitness as well as form in 2024 but is hoping to end the year on a high and work his way back into the top 10.
“I don’t belong outside the top 16. I’m a top 10 player in my opinion, people might disagree, but I’m a top 10 player and I’ve just got to work hard, play in everything and you know, try not to be complacent,” he added.
“I’m giving 110% and I know everyone says that, and after a week they stop playing, but I’m going to do everything this year.”
Aspinall ought to be too strong for Gates, who ousted a tearful Cameron Menzies 3-1 in his opener.
The pair will follow Evans on to the Ally Pally stage with the first two matches of the evening seeing Jim Williams facing Paolo Nebrida and Christian Kist taking on Madars Razma.
Order of Play (from 1900 UK time)
Jim Williams v Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Madars Razma v Christian Kist (R1)
Ricky Evans v Gordon Mathers (R1)
Nathan Aspinall v Leonard Gates (R2)
How to watch
The PDC World Championship is being screened on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the evening session on Sky Sports Darts at 1900 and Sky Sports Main Event at 2130.
Predictions
Expect wins for Williams and Evans and a close tussle between Razma and Kist. We think Kist might just shade it.
As for Aspinall, he will need to perform well to see off dancing American Gates. A solid win would not only ease him into round three but also give him the self-belief his game has been lacking in recent months.