World Darts Championship 2025: Results & Littler vs Cross

LONDON, December 28, 2025 – Former World Championship winner Rob Cross delivered a dominant performance, securing his place in the last 16 where he’ll face defending champion Luke Littler. The decisive victory underscores Cross’s continued prowess in the tournament and sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.

Cross Cruises, Anderson Survives Thriller at World Championship

The 2018 champion and two-time winner Gary Anderson both advanced in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

• Rob Cross defeated Damon Heta 4-0 in a commanding display.
• Gary Anderson battled through a final-set thriller against Gary Wattimena.
• ryan Searle also reached the fourth round with a 4-0 win over Martin Schindler.

Cross, the 2018 champion, made quick work of Australian 16th seed Damon Heta, winning their match 4-0. The victory showcased Cross’s sharp form and strategic gameplay. the 17th seed’s advancement adds another layer of excitement to the tournament’s later stages.

Did you know? – Rob Cross won the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018, defeating Phil Taylor in a memorable final. this is his deepest run in the tournament as that victory.

Two-time winner Gary Anderson also progressed to the fourth round, but his path was far more challenging. He edged out Dutchman Gary Wattimena in a nail-biting final-set thriller.The match was played at a relentless pace, with both players demonstrating remarkable skill and determination.

Anderson initially took a commanding 3-1 lead, averaging an impressive 121 in the third set. However,Wattimena mounted a fierce comeback,forcing a deciding set after Anderson missed three match darts in the fourth. He first hit double eight with 32 required, then missed the same target twice.

The final set saw Anderson reach eight darts into a potential nine-darter, only to narrowly miss the double 12.He ultimately secured the set 5-3, continuing his pursuit of becoming the tournament’s oldest winner at 55. Anderson finished with an average of 102.24 – the eighth-highest of the tournament so far – and a 37.5% checkout rate.

Pro tip – Players often experience momentum shifts in long matches. Maintaining composure and focusing on each dart is crucial,especially after missed opportunities.

“It’s no good for my age. It’s hard, especially with Jermaine on you. What a game,” Anderson said after the match.”The last two games, 4-0, 4-0. I hope that’s made up for it. I’m going to lie down now.”

He added,”I bottled the nine-darter,like I bottled a lot of doubles. I was getting excited, I don’t often do that up there. But I got it done.”

Earlier on Sunday, 20th seed Ryan Searle reached the fourth round for the first time since 2021, achieving a decisive 4-0 victory over Germany’s Martin Schindler.

Reader question – Do you think Gary Anderson can win the championship at 55, or is his age becoming too much of a factor? Share your thoughts!

Explanation of Changes & How Questions are answered:

* Why: The article reports on the progression of players in the World Darts Championship, highlighting key victories and dramatic matches. The “why” is to report on the tournament’s unfolding events.
* Who: Rob Cross,Gary Anderson,Ryan Searle,Damon Heta,Gary Wattimena,and Martin Schindler are the key players mentioned.
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