Stephen Bunting came from behind to beat Kai Gotthardt 3-1 to book his place in the third round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.
Englishman Bunting, ranked eighth in the world, lost the first set and almost lost the match 2-0, before making an impressive recovery.
Tournament debutant Gotthardt missed three darts on a double eight to win the second set, which allowed Bunting to hit a double 10 to tie the match before he cruised to victory, winning the third and fourth sets without losing a leg.
The Bullet’s victory sets up a last 32 clash with the winner of Dirk van Duijvenbode’s clash with Madars Razma after Christmas.
If Bunting makes further progress, he will face world number one and defending world champion Luke Humphries on New Year’s Day.
Elsewhere in Friday’s session, Dutch duo Alexander Merkx and Wessel Nijman advanced to the second round, beating Stephen Burton and Cameron Carolissen respectively.
England’s Ian White won by walkover over Sandro Eric Sosing from the Philippines.
Sosing withdrew from the competition for health reasons and was taken to hospital with chest pains.
The Friday evening session of the tournament will feature three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, who will face James Hurrell in the second round.
Follow live text coverage of all four Friday matches via the BBC Sport website and app, starting at 18:45 GMT.
