Luke Littler made a triumphant return to major ranking tournament action following his stunning PDC World Championship victory, dispatching former WDF World Champion Andy Baetens in dominant fashion at the Winmau World Masters. The 18-year-old sensation, widely regarded as the future of darts, wasted little time in showcasing his class on Night Two of the event, breezing past his Belgian opponent in just over 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton delivered the standout performance of the night, putting on a dazzling display to dismantle Martin Schindler with a breathtaking 112.7 average.
Littler, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Nuke,’ was undoubtedly the main attraction, with fans eager to see how he would perform following his meteoric rise to prominence. However, those hoping for an extended showcase of his talents were left with only a short glimpse, as he dismantled Baetens with ruthless efficiency. Despite an early moment of resistance from the Belgian, who managed a 76 checkout to level at 1-1, Littler quickly found his rhythm. He seized control of the opening set with a clinical 13-darter to move 2-1 ahead before breaking throw at the start of the second set.
Though he encountered some minor struggles on the doubles, Littler maintained his composure, sealing the second set with a 77 checkout. By this stage, the outcome seemed inevitable, with the newly turned 18-year-old needing just one more set to complete a straightforward victory. He opened the third set with a confident 50 checkout on double 20 and wrapped up the match on double 18, continuing his remarkable form as he booked his place in the next round.
While Littler dominated the headlines, Jonny Clayton ensured that his own performance would not go unnoticed, delivering a masterclass against Martin Schindler. The Welshman, renowned for his smooth, effortless throwing style, produced a scintillating 112.7 average, peppering the treble 20 with astonishing consistency. He racked up five 180s and was clinical on the doubles, hitting six out of nine attempts.
Clayton’s red-hot form was evident from the outset, as he stormed through the opening two sets with averages of 113 and 136, giving Schindler no breathing room. The German, to his credit, attempted to mount a fightback in the third set, breaking Clayton’s throw and earning a shot at 128 for the set. However, he missed his opportunity, allowing Clayton to punish him with a stunning 121 checkout, complete with his trademark finger-point celebration.
Schindler’s struggles continued as he missed a crucial 132 checkout attempt, narrowly failing to land the double 16. Clayton seized the moment once more, finishing on 90 with a precise double 15 to seal an emphatic victory, further solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent performers.
Another player who shone brightly on the night was Nathan Aspinall, who put on an outstanding display to sweep past Andrew Gilding 3-0. The former UK Open champion averaged 103, producing five 180s and a sensational 161 checkout along the way. Gilding, ever the competitor, opened the match with a 180 and his signature thumbs-up celebration but faltered when presented with a 60 finish, allowing Aspinall to pounce with a brilliant 161 finish while under pressure.
Aspinall continued his dominance, taking control of the second set after Gilding failed to capitalize on his own opportunities. The Stockport star fired in a 139 setup shot before sealing the set in style. Gilding did manage to put a leg on the board, holding throw, but Aspinall remained unfazed. After missing an initial match dart, he returned to finish the job, wrapping up the victory in commanding fashion.
Elsewhere, the evening saw several notable names suffer surprise exits, including Chris Dobey, Dave Chisnall, and Mike de Decker. Ryan Searle continued his fine form, knocking out former Masters champion Dobey with a solid 3-1 victory. Searle started strongly, taking the opening set on double 20 after Dobey failed to convert a 161 finish. The game ebbed and flowed, with Dobey producing moments of brilliance, including a 110 checkout, but ultimately failing to keep pace with Searle’s relentless consistency.
Dobey had chances to turn the tide but was unable to make them count, missing crucial doubles at key moments. Searle, nicknamed ‘Heavy Metal’ for his powerful throwing style, maintained his composure, punishing Dobey’s missed opportunities before sealing the win on double seven.
Meanwhile, Mike de Decker and Dave Chisnall both found themselves on the wrong end of close encounters, bowing out of the tournament after expressing their disappointment at not being selected for the Premier League. De Decker faced off against the ever-reliable James Wade in a match that was filled with tension and drama. Wade took the opening set with a 76 checkout, punishing De Decker for missing two crucial darts at double. The Belgian responded well in the second set, landing a 116 checkout and eventually leveling the match.
The contest remained evenly poised, with both players struggling to find fluency on the doubles. Wade missed a golden opportunity to seal the third set on the bullseye, but De Decker’s own finishing woes saw him squander an 84 checkout attempt. Ultimately, it was Wade who held his nerve in the decisive moments, punishing De Decker’s mistakes and closing out the match with a clinical 64 checkout.
The final upset of the night came at the hands of Cameron Menzies, who stunned Dave Chisnall in a thrilling contest. Menzies, who had battled his way through the preliminary rounds while juggling his plumbing job in Milton Keynes, showed remarkable resilience to edge past the former World Grand Prix runner-up.
The Scotsman took the opening set with a scrappy 70 checkout before breaking Chisnall’s throw early in the second. Despite some erratic finishing, Menzies managed to extend his lead, moving within one set of victory. Chisnall attempted to mount a comeback, capitalizing on Menzies’ errors to get himself back in the match, but it was too little too late. Menzies held his nerve, securing the win with a 72 checkout and punching his ticket into the next round.
As the Winmau World Masters progresses, all eyes will remain firmly on Luke Littler, who continues to prove why he is considered the sport’s brightest young star. However, with seasoned campaigners like Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall also in top form, the competition is heating up, promising plenty more drama in the days ahead.
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