Martin Lukeman survived the fear of Nitin Kumar in the first round of the 2025 season PDC World Darts Championships. After losing the first set, “Smash” fought back and secured a 3-1 victory, setting up a second-round battle with Andrew Gilding.
Having recently reached the final of a Grand Slam of Darts, Lukeman entered the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship as arguably the most dangerous first-round draw. However, in the Indian qualifier, Nitin Kumar ‘Smash’ was up against a very experienced operator. It was Kumar who also took part in the first match, sending Lukeman an early warning signal. However, responding well, Lukeman calmly took the next two legs. However, after missing several set darts, Kumar forced an early decision pinning the double 8 to the set below, threatening a huge upset.
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It was the first set that Kumar managed to win in his fourth World Darts Championship. After Lukeman held the shot in the first set of the second set, Kumar tied the score in the next set and even cheekily winked at the camera after winning the double. Lukeman seemed to calm down a bit, however, and let out a roar after going through the next two legs as he completed them in one set.
As both players swapped throw holds to open the third set, Lukeman secured the advantage with a break throw in the third period. After Kumar missed two darts at the top, leading to an immediate put-back, Lukeman was penalized and got the second set boarded and moved up 2-1.
The momentum was now clearly on the Englishman’s side and Lukeman also looked to make the most of it, winning the first part of set 4. However, after Lukeman missed a dart to take a 2-0 lead in the set, Kumar proved he was unable to do so. I’m not done yet and I’ve evened things out. Then it was the Indian’s turn to waste opportunities in the doubles, Lukeman punished him and took him one leg away from winning, and in the very next match the victory was assured.
