Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has progressed to the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship 2026, after a hard-fought victory over Japanese debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami. The 36-year-old Dutchman overcame an early deficit to secure a 3-1 win, highlighting his experience and composure on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Van Gerwen Battles Back from Early Set Deficit

Van Gerwen found himself a set and two legs down to Tatsunami before turning the match around. The world number three took control in the second set and moved into a 2-1 lead, eventually clinching a tense fourth set. Despite early struggles with scoring consistency, Van Gerwen praised his opponent:

“He made me work really hard for that. His finishing was great, and I had to battle my own game to get through.”

Van Gerwen will next face either William O’Connor or Krzysztof Kciuk in the second round, aiming to add a fourth world title to his collection.

Debutants Shine on Day Eight

The tournament has seen several newcomers make an impact:

• David Munyua of Kenya became the first player from his country to appear at the PDC World Championship. Munyua produced a remarkable comeback from two sets down to defeat world number 18 Mike de Decker, completing a dramatic 3-2 victory with a stunning 135 finish.
• Motomu Sakai, making his tournament debut for Japan, impressed the crowd with a straight-sets win over France’s Thibault Tricole, showcasing his showmanship and flair.

Dutch 19th seed Jermaine Wattimena also survived a scare, coming from behind to beat Germany’s Dominik Gruellich 3-2, while England’s Callan Rydz and Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski recorded straight-sets victories.

Fallon Sherrock Exits in First Round

Former trailblazer Fallon Sherrock, who became the first woman to win a PDC World Championship match in 2019, was eliminated in a straight-sets defeat by 21st seed Dave Chisnall. Poor finishing saw Sherrock hit just three of 23 doubles, with missed opportunities proving costly in the deciding third set.

Upcoming Matches

The remaining first-round matches will continue across two sessions on Friday, featuring top players and rising stars:

Afternoon session (from 12:30 GMT):

• Kevin Doets vs Matthew Dennant
• Ryan Meikle vs Jesus Salate
• Mickey Mansell vs Leonard Gates
• Josh Rock vs Gemma Hayter

Evening session (from 19:00 GMT):

• William O’Connor vs Krzysztof Kciuk
• Daryl Gurney vs Beau Greaves
• Nathan Aspinall vs Lourence Ilagan
• Keane Barry vs Tim Pusey

The tournament continues to deliver excitement, surprises, and historic moments, with debutants, veterans, and rising stars all contributing to a thrilling opening week at the PDC World Championship.