World Darts Championship: Gian van Veen and Rob Cross into second round but Ross Smith loses
European champion Gian van Veen took his place in the second round of the PDC World Championship, but 12th seed Ross Smith had a shock exit in the first round.
Expectations are high for Van Veen after a successful 2025 and after overcoming the first hurdle in his two previous visits to Alexandra Palace, there will be some relief following the 3-1 win over Spaniard Cristo Reyes.
The Dutch 10th seed, a two-time world junior champion, achieved victory despite not being at his best in the first set, then took a 2-0 lead with an average of 107 in the second set.
After scoring 167 to win the first leg, Reyes struck back in the third round and earned a break in the fourth, but Van Veen showed his mettle and fought back to secure his first win of the tournament.
“He’s finally crossed that line,” the 23-year-old, whose average is 98.91, told Sky Sports.
“Walking on this stage today you feel like you’re 16 again – I was so nervous! But as soon as the first darts went in I said ‘OK, you belong here’.”
However, as Van Veen prepares for the second round, Smith returns home after losing 3-2 to 50-year-old Swede Andreas Harrysson.
Smith missed six match darts in the fourth set and was forced to pay the price as Harryson pressed on to win the deciding set by three legs.
In the evening session, British Ricky Evans defeated Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung 3-0 and Australian 16th seed Damon Heta defeated Irish Steve Lennon 3-1.
