Luke Littler is back on the big stage on day two at the 2025 Winmau World Masters with an elite field assembled for the star-studded event.
The World Darts Champion is the headline act with the show now up and running at Arena MK. Following Wednesday’s Preliminary Rounds, the final 32 is now 24 after Thursday’s opening session and that will be whittled down to 16 by the end of Friday’s play.
Littler kicks off his title challenge against Belgium’s former WDF Champion Andy Baetens with Michael van Gerwen up against former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks, who recently regained his PDC Tour Card at Q School. Stand-out first round tie will see Scottish icon Gary Anderson play reigning UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh, as two-time World Champion makes his first appearance of 2025.
2023 Masters winner Chris Dobey is in action along with the likes of Nathan Aspinall, World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker and Scot Cameron Menzies.Record Sport takes you through the matches and the timings for Friday’s action.
Session Two – First round matches – Friday 7pm
James Wade v Mike De Decker
Both players are aiming to kick-off 2025 in style after disappointing ends to last year at Ally Pally. Wade was dumped out of the Worlds by Jermaine Wattimena and De Decker, the current World Grand Prix champion, fared little better in London as his bid was ended quickly by Luke Woodhouse.
Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies
Chisnall will have a point to prove having been overlooked for the Premier League spots with a Worlds loss to Ricky Evans also stinging. Menzies landed a stunning 106 average in his straight shoot-out with World Youth Champion Gian van Veen in qualifying having also beaten Berry van Peer and Evans to progress.
Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
Clayton is fighting to recapture his highest levels which included him winning The Masters in 2021 amongst his major title successes. Schindler is Germany’s No.1 and bidding to make a real impact in one of these major ranking events.
Nathan Aspinall v Andrew Gilding
Aspinall has fought back from struggles to earn his places back in both the Premier League and World Series and also had a strong run at the Worlds.
Gilding is the World No.20 and has shown his ability to shine in these events having won the 2023 UK Open title.
Chris Dobey v Ryan Searle
Dobey is the 2023 Masters champion and an outstanding campaign on the floor last year saw him earn No,1 ranking status for the Players Championship. The Geordie’s charge to the Worlds semi-finals landed him a Premier League spot. Searle is a hugely-exciting opponent with his heavy scoring a feature of his smooth play.
Luke Littler v Andy Baetens
The World Champion has failed to make the Final in each of his two World Series appearances since lifting Ally Pally crown, but has his eyes on this ranking title. Belgium’s Baetens set up the meeting after posting a ton-topping average in his last 16 thumping of Darius Labanauskas in the qualifiers.
Michael van Gerwen v Bradley Brooks
Van Gerwen was hugely irritated by his performance in defeat to Littler in the Netherlands last weekend and is looking for better. The Green Machine faces former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks, who recently regained his PDC Tour Card at Q School and won five straight matches in Wednesday’s Preliminary Rounds to book his place in the main draw.
Gary Anderson v Dimitri Van den Bergh
The Scottish star is back on the big stage for the first time this year after the nightmare exit from the Worlds at the hands of Jeffrey De Graaf. Van den Bergh, the reigning UK Open champion, has shown flashes of his best in recent times and it should be a sensational match and clash of styles.
WHERE TO WATCH: ITV4, ITVX, PDC TV