Nick Kenny drew in the third round Luke Humphries in 2025 PDC World Darts Championships after the biggest victory of his career, 3-1 over the five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.
With the potential for a showdown in the next round and the reigning world champion emerging into the spotlight, Van Barneveld and Kenny started in a nervous opening set. With both players averaging around 80, missed double darts were common in the early stages of the game. Ultimately, however, the Welshman won, despite missing over half a dozen darts in leg 4he increased the score 1-0 and struck the first blow in the match.
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In the second set, Kenny, who had sealed the first round victory over Stowe Buntz in style with a 170 point score, continued to have full control of the momentum as he raced through the first two games and finished the set 2-0 with a dart advantage in leg 3 as well However, “Barney” broke Kenny’s shot in the third game, staying alive in the set, and the legendary Dutchman evened the set at 2-2, winning double 15 in the next set. Kenny had the darts at the deciding point and made a strong start, hitting a 180. He scored a double eight for a 15-darter, The Welshman secured the set and increased the score to 2-0.
With Kenny missing several break opportunities in the first half of the third set, “Barney” successfully held the shot on counter-attack 18. The Dutchman then broke Kenny’s shot in the second half of the set, doubling his advantage in the set and taking full control of it. More missed doubles by both players led to a dramatic third part of the set, but in the end Van Barneveld took advantage of this opportunity and made up for the deficit by just 2-1.
Quickly putting that disappointing set out of his mind, Kenny comfortably held the shot to open set four, stopping Van Barneveld with a series of three straight legs. ‘Barney’ then held his shot to tie the set, but Kenny continued to attack the Dutchman, hitting a double 16 to come close to winning. While Van Barneveld missed twice to keep the set alive, Kenny missed two for a double 8 to seal the win, allowing ‘Barney’ to force a decisive set point. However, as the Dutchman failed to put any pressure on Kenny’s shot in the fifth leg, the Welshman had more darts and eventually scored a double 4 in the match with his ninth dart.
