Michael van Gerwen flexed his muscles as he powered into the third round of the World Championship.
The three-time champion struggled in his opening match but brought his best to brush past Ireland's William O'Connor 3-1.
It was a bruising performance by the Dutchman, who reminded everyone of his credentials after a difficult year on and off the oche.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are the leading contenders for the title in January but Van Gerwen is a threat playing like this.
Derry's Daryl Gurney lost out to England's Callan Rydz in an Ally Pally round-two classic.
The World Cup of Darts winner brought Rydz all the way but lost 3-2 after a tiebreaker in the fifth set.
Rydz loves Alexandra Palance and last year's quarter-finalist hit eight maximums and landed a series of big outshots to prevail.
RYDZ WINS A CHRISTMAS CRACKER 💥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2025
Callan Rydz breaks the Daryl Gurney throw with a 92 finish before cleaning up the final leg to win the tiebreaker in an EPIC contest!
📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND #WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/1zLkI0zZ1r
Meanwhile, Peter Wright's confidence was wildly misplaced after he crashed out.
The two-time champion was dressed in a Santa-style outfit but there was no festive cheer on show as Arno Merk ensured he will not be returning to the Palace after Christmas.
Wright had claimed he was definitely going to win this tournament but was left red-faced after the German won 3-0.
Merk, on debut, was full value for the win but it denied the mouth-watering possibility of a third-round clash between Wright and Michael van Gerwen – a repeat of the 2020 final.
MERK WHITEWASHES WRIGHT 😱
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2025
What a result for Arno Merk 🇩🇪
The German debutant defeats two-time World Champion Peter Wright in straight sets, dropping only two legs in the process!
📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND #WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/80y90N2Qv1
The pair had been involved in an exchange of words last week after Wright said Van Gerwen’s eyesight had been faltering, with the Dutchman responding by suggesting the women he has been dating shows his eyes are just fine.
Van Gerwen remains at the top of the sport – and is a contender for the title – but Wright’s name is no longer in that conversation after a dreadful performance where he averaged just 79.20.
"I am stunned, I can’t believe it, I just beat a legend, I am so happy," Merk said on stage. "I am early in my work, so I am really happy.
"It means everything. I am so proud to make my family proud. If I play like this I can be dangerous for anybody"
There were some entertaining matches earlier in the afternoon.
Jermaine Wattimena won a final-set decider against Scott Williams, having seen his opponent come from 2-0 down to draw level.
Ryan Meikle kicked off the day with a fine comeback, recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Jonny Tata.
Limerick's Willie O'Connor is in action against Van Gerwen in the third match of this evening's card, while Antrim man Josh Rock takes on Aussie Joe Comito.
Evening Session (1900)
Danny Noppert v Justin Hood
Gary Anderson v Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen v William O'Connor
Josh Rock v Joe Comito
