Michael van Gerwen Advances as Arno Merk Upsets Peter Wright at PDC World Championship
Michael van Gerwen beat Ireland’s William O'Connor 3-1 to reach the third round of the PDC World Championship, showing strong form after a challenging year. Meanwhile, two-time champion Peter Wright was eliminated in the second round by debutant Arno Merk, who won 3-1. Merk expressed happiness at his unexpected victory and advancement in his World Championship debut.
Gary Anderson also secured a win over Connor Scutt with a vintage performance, averaging 105.41 and hitting nine 180s. Wright's average of 79.20 in the loss highlighted the dramatic swing early in the tournament.
The third-round draw sets up a notable clash between van Gerwen and Merk, reinforcing van Gerwen’s status as a title contender and Merk’s potential as an impressive newcomer. Additionally, Littler and Humphries have been identified as leading title contenders for January, with van Gerwen remaining a significant threat as the tournament progresses.
