Nathan Aspinall has booked a date with Ricardo Pietreczko in the last 16 of 2025 PDC World Darts Championships on Alexandra Palaceafter a 4-0 victory over Ł Andrew Gilding on this Saturday afternoon.
2024 saw a battle of former UK Open champions, with neither Aspinall nor Gilding performing at their best. In a tight and tense opening set, both were well below their best, also due to the exchange of breaks during the opening three legs. But coming to life after a 14-shot fourth-leg effort, it was Aspinall who secured the first set. match 3-1.
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The 12-darter break throw ended at 124 to open set 2, however, Gilding immediately made a strong comeback after the break. However, unable to buy a treble in the next match, ‘Goldfinger’ gave Aspinall a comfortable breakout. The pair then swapped places for the darts, the second set being sent to a fifth and deciding set where Aspinall had the darts. As “The Asp” only made a double with his 21st leg shot, Gilding had a chance to equalize the score, but when he failed to do so, Aspinall was punished and had his set lead doubled to 2-0.
Aspinall had a chance to further his advantage and break Gilding in the first set of the third set, but after missing two darts on a counterattack, ‘Goldfinger’ pinned a nerveless 68 and grabbed a leg. As in the case of the second set, the third set also ended in a decisive match. This time it was Gilding who had the advantage in the shot, but at 101, Aspinall took a 3-0 lead in sets and locked up in the last 16.
Although Aspinall did not reach his peak form, averaging 91 points for most of the competition, his characteristic character and determination still saw him win all the key moments of the match. After two solid throw grabs that put him one leg away from victory in set 4, ‘The Asp’ put the pressure on Gilding in the fourth game, earning some points before scoring a double top with his first match shuttle to win.
