James Wade rediscovered his winning touch at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday evening, as Stefan Bellmont stole the headlines by eliminating five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Day Seven of the tournament proved eventful, with Wade halting a lengthy winless run at the World Championship and Van Barneveld becoming the first former world champion to exit this year’s competition.
Wade had not claimed a victory on the Ally Pally stage since the 2021/22 edition, but the four-time semi-finalist ended that drought in emphatic fashion with a straight-sets victory over Ryusei Azemoto. The 41-year-old produced a dominant display, reeling off seven straight legs to secure his place in round two, where he will renew rivalries with Ricky Evans following their recent Grand Slam of Darts meeting.
“I’m really happy with that, especially considering I haven’t won a game here for three years,” said Wade, who is making his 22nd consecutive World Championship appearance. “I think tonight showed the practice I’ve been doing. It wasn’t spectacular, but when I really needed to produce something, it happened.
“This is the best I’ve felt coming here in the last four or five years, 100 per cent.”
Earlier in the evening, Bellmont delivered a career-defining performance to become the first Swiss player to win a match at the World Darts Championship. The Winmau Challenge Tour champion produced a ruthless display on the doubles to defeat Van Barneveld 3–0, winning nine of the final ten legs to seal a historic victory.
“I have no words for this. I’m proud of myself,” said Bellmont, who now faces Australian number one Damon Heta for a place in the last 32. “I think this is a great moment for everyone in Switzerland, and I hope this makes more Swiss people come to the darts!”
Elsewhere, Martin Schindler impressed with a 99.14 average in a 3–1 win over Stephen Burton, while Adam Sevada enjoyed a breakthrough moment by defeating Matt Campbell to book a second-round clash with Charlie Manby.
The championship continues on Thursday with another packed double session, as Michael van Gerwen, Mike De Decker, Dave Chisnall and Fallon Sherrock all enter the fray.
Source: PDC.TV
