PDC World Championship 2026: Peter Wright loses in straight sets to Arno Merk in round two

German debutant Arno Merk said he was left «stunned» by his straight-set win over two-time champion Peter Wright at the PDC World Championship.

Wright, who triumphed at Alexandra Palace in 2020 and 2022, was well below par – winning just two legs in Tuesday’s second-round match and averaging below 80.

The Scot, 55, landed just two of his 15 darts at doubles and Merk, who ended with an average of 92.17 and hit nine of his 19 double attempts, took full advantage.

«I’m stunned, I can’t believe it,» Merk said on stage to Sky Sports after his win. «I just beat a legend and I’m so happy.»

Merk could face another former world champion, Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, in round three.

Van Gerwen will play William O’Connor from the Republic of Ireland later on Tuesday.

«If I play like this, I can be dangerous for anybody,» added 33-year-old Merk.

His victory was the only match in the day’s first session not to go to a deciding set.

Daryl Gurney, the 22nd seed, lost a close contest to England’s Callan Rydz.

World number 42 Rydz, who hit two 167 checkouts during the match, could next meet 11th seed Josh Rock – who partnered Gurney to World Cup glory for Northern Ireland in June.

England’s Ryan Meikle fought back from two sets down to beat New Zealand’s Jonny Tata, while Dutch 19th seed Jermaine Wattimena defeated Englishman Scott Williams.

The second round will be completed on Tuesday, with four remaining matches to be played from 19:00 GMT.

After a three-day break for Christmas, the tournament will resume on Saturday, 27 December, when round three is scheduled to get under way.

Third-round ties will be played over a longer format than the opening two rounds, with matches to be decided over the best of seven sets rather than the best of five.

From 19:00 GMT: