Luke Humphries admitted he had mixed feelings about his emphatic 3-0 win over Paul Lim in the third round of the PDC World Championship.
The world number three was in ruthless form as he won the first eight legs of the match before Lim, at 71 the oldest player in the draw, found tops to avoid a complete shut-out.
Humphries, the 2024 world champion, said he had great respect for Lim, who was roared on by the capacity crowd throughout as he looked to build on his history-making first-round win over Sweden's Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries told Sky Sports: "The third set wasn't great, but I didn't want to destroy him 9-0. I'm glad he got a leg in the end.
"I knew the crowd were going to be on his side. For me it was a game I had to win and that was the most important thing. He's just a legend and I love him to bits."
Humphries will return after Christmas to take on former world semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, who shrugged off disappointing form in 2025 to upset Wessel Nijman, the number 31 seed, 3-0.
Ricky Evans gave himself a post-Christmas walk-on song dilemma by dumping seventh seed James Wade.
Evans missed seven match darts before winning the final set 6-4 in legs for an epic 3-2 second-round victory at Alexandra Palace.
Four-time World Championship semi-finalist Wade became the highest seed to depart this year's tournament after missing his own match dart at double five when 4-3 ahead in the final set.
The colourful Evans is known for his festive shirts and walking out to 'Merry Christmas Everyone' by Shakin' Stevens, and he took to the stage this time holding a Santa-dressed dancing toy.
After a breathless five-setter, the fast-throwing 35-year-old from Kettering said: "The problem is now I'm (playing) after Christmas.
"I'm going to have to walk on to something not Christmas, aren't I?
"I'm going to have 'Like A Prayer'...Madonna. Who cares? I'm still going."
Evans won the opening set against the darts, helped by a 128 checkout and Wade missing double five.
Wade produced a 170 'Big Fish' finish on the way to levelling matters, but Evans took the next set, with a 13-dart leg against the throw proving decisive.
Evans lost his composure in the fourth set, but 144 and 89 checkouts at the start of the fifth took him to the brink of victory.
At 2-1 ahead, Evans missed six match darts, including three at double one, and was pulled up for an underarm throw in the next leg by the referee.
Evans then missed a seventh match dart at double 16 when 3-2 ahead and, after Wade had failed to get over the line himself, he finally kept his nerve with superb 99 finish.
"Imagine coming to darts and winning 3-0? Evans said. "What's the point? Make it interesting.
"I say it every year, 'I'm weird but I'm box office'. Come on."
Kenyan hero David Munyua's historic run was ended by a 3-0 defeat to Kevin Doets.
Munyua's first-round victory over world number 18 Mike de Decker had delighted African darts fans and earned a congratulatory message from Kenya's president William Ruto.
The 30-year-old works as a full-time vet in Nairobi and had never left Africa before travelling to London for the World Championship.
The crowd, who included members of Kenya's High Commission in the UK, were fully on the underdog's side and Munyua thrilled them by throwing five 180s.
Doets' power scoring and consistency ensured there would be no upset this time and he said on stage: "I was expecting a lot of booing (for me). They are still booing me now.
"But it's fair enough, he is the people's champion. For someone from Kenya to reach the second round is amazing."
Gian van Veen underlined his status as a genuine title contender as he summoned a 108 average - the highest of the tournament so far - in wrapping up a 3-1 win over Scotland's Alan Soutar.
The fast-rising 23-year-old, who nailed a 170 finish to win the third set, was joined in the last 32 by Nathan Aspinall, who was equally impressive in completing a 3-0 win over Leonard Gates.
Latvian number one Madars Razma beat Scotland's Darren Beveridge 3-1.
Twenty-year-old qualifier Charlie Manby continued his dream run into round three by brushing aside American Adam Sevada 3-0.
