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Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright makes winning start – Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts; we are back for a double session on Friday at 12pm and 7pm with Adrian Lewis and Michael Smith in action, while Beau Greaves takes on Willie O’Connor

Defending champion Peter Wright got a festive feast of arrows up and running with a comfortable 3-0 win on the opening night of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

The Scot withdrew from last month’s Players Championship Finals with his wife Jo in hospital, but after receiving positive news last week, Wright was back and in bullish mood on the big stage as he began his bid for a third Sid Waddell Trophy in four years with a comfortable victory over Northern Ireland’s Mickey Mansell.

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Watch Peter Wright and his ‘Grinch’ walk-on against Mickey Mansell on the opening night of the World Championship

Mansell had become the first winner at this year’s Worlds, defeating Ben Robb 3-1 to set up the meeting with Wright.

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Wright fired in the first maximum of the contest before taking out 121 on the bullseye in the opening set

‘Snakebite’ rattled off a cracking 121 on the bullseye to lay down an early marker as he won the opening set 3-1.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for former World Cup semi-finalist Mansell when the reigning champion sailed through the second set in three straight legs to double his advantage despite a modest 92 average.

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The reigning champion struck with this spectacular 126 finish to close in on victory

And Wright continued the onslaught in the third set, pinning a majestic 126 out-shot before cleaning up 68 on tops to sweep into the third round in style.

“Not happy with the performance, but it’s a win,” said Wright, who now has 12 days off before his third-round clash against Kim Huybrechts or Grant Sampson. “The defending champion is still in and it’s Christmas.”

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Wright said it was ‘hard’ for Mansell to get up for two matches in a night but he was ‘happy’ with the win

South African debutant Sampson caused the first big shock of the tournament by knocking out a below-par display from UK Open semi-finalist Keane Barry 3-1.

‘Samurai’, who eliminated nine-time World Championship qualifier Devon Petersen en route to booking his spot on the grandest stage of them all, threw four maximums and a superb 125 checkout to stun Irishman Barry.

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Grant Sampson told Polly James he only plays in front of 30 people back home in South Africa, but he’s now made a real name for himself after a dream debut at Ally Pally

The 40-year-old, who will earn £15,000 for reaching the second round, will hold no fear when he takes on ‘The Hurricane’ Kim Huybrechts in Friday’s afternoon session.

“Back home we play in front of 30 people but this is another thing,” said Sampson. “I was very, very, very nervous. My darts were not going in straight at all so I was just trying to focus, but it was difficult. Now that I’ve got the first game out of the way I can only get better because that was horrible.”

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Sampson pinned tops for a sensational 125 finish to take a 2-0 lead in the second set against Barry

Jermaine Wattimena also made an early exit as he lost 3-2 to emerging star Nathan Rafferty.

Wattimena failed to hit the bullseye to win the opening set and that allowed Rafferty to sink double 2 to claim it, but the Dutchman soon sparked into life with a 97 checkout in the deciding leg of the second set to square things up.

Former World Youth Championship runner-up Rafferty moved one set away from dumping out Wattimena by sweeping through the next set with three consecutive 17-leg darts, but ‘The Machine Gun’ took the match the distance thanks to an opening 108 finish, a 14-dart leg and a crucial 101 checkout.

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Rafferty prevailed in a nail-biter to set up a meeting with Michael Smith

However, it was 22-year-old Rafferty who showed exceptional composure – one week after surgery to remove his appendix – to make it through to a date with Grand Slam of Darts champion Michael Smith after sinking double 10 with his fifth match dart.

“I wasn’t nervous leading up to the tournament but when I came up the road I had butterflies in my stomach,” Rafferty revealed. “It’s been my dream since I was 15 to be playing on this stage; it’s what we all play for.

“Considering I had my appendix removed a week ago today, I’m so happy to win this game against a tough opponent.

‘I’m looking forward to taking on Michael [Smith], he’s one of the best players in the world but I think I can give him a game if I play my proper stuff.”

“I think he said he was going to toy with a few new sets of darts between now and Christmas. Maybe get some new ones even. Who knows? But he’ll try and get comfortable, and maybe just get the darts that are going to feel good. The scoring wasn’t as good as he could have. But the doubling was more of an issue there, to me. He’ll want to get the doubling right, and then he’ll get the scoring touch”

John Part on Peter Wright

Friday at Ally Pally

Beau Greaves makes her Ally Pally bow on Friday night against Ireland’s Willie O’Connor

The first double session of this year’s World Championship will take place on Friday, as two-time runner-up Smith takes on Rafferty in his opener.

Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis faces Sweden’s Daniel Larsson in the afternoon session, before eight-time PDC Women’s Series winner Beau Greaves makes her highly-anticipated Ally Pally bow against Willie O’Connor in the evening session.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – from December 15 to January 3.

Sprinter Randolph Ross has been suspended until June 30, 2025 and will be ineligible for the Paris Olympics in 2024; he had been provisionally suspended on the eve of his race at the world track and field championships

United States sprinter Randolph Ross has been banned for three years for whereabouts failures and faking an email to anti-doping authorities.

The Athletics Integrity Unit announced Tuesday the back-to-back NCAA champion from North Carolina A&T will be suspended until June 30, 2025, meaning he will be ineligible for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Ross had been provisionally suspended on the eve of his 400m preliminary race at the world track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, on July 16, about a month after officials could not locate him to take a doping test – his third whereabouts failure in a 12-month period.

The 21-year-old had provided a copy of an automatic email “allegedly confirming an update made to his whereabouts information for the relevant period,” the AIU said.

The sprinter “immediately admitted” he had altered the email when he was questioned by the AIU representatives, the unit said.

He won his second straight title in the 400 meters at NCAA championships in June.

Ross won an Olympic gold medal as part of the 4x400m squad at the Tokyo Games in 2021, though he did not compete in the final. In the 400m, he was eliminated in the heats in Tokyo.

Amad Diallo continued his fine form for Sunderland by opening the scoring from the penalty spot against West Brom.

England fans in Manchester, London and Brighton were left stunned and disappointed by Harry Kane’s penalty miss and their side’s elimination from the World Cup.

Mateusz Klich scored from long range to seal a 2-1 win over Elche in a friendly that earned them the Festa d’Elx Trophy.

Arsene Wenger suggested Germany experienced an early World Cup exit due to ‘political demonstration’ distractions

Watch the draw for the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship live on Sky Sports News and the Sky Sports Darts YouTube channel on Monday – Beau Greaves, Fallon Sherrock and Lisa Ashton will discover their first-round opponents; Peter Wright is defending champion

Beau Greaves, Fallon Sherrock and more will discover their Alexandra Palace fate when the draw for the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship takes place live on Sky Sports News and the Sky Sports Darts YouTube channel on Monday evening.

Tune in from 6.25pm as Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster draw the names for the biggest tournament in the sport, which runs from December 15 to January 3 live exclusively on Sky Sports.

There will be three women’s players in this winter’s competition with teenage sensation Beau Greaves and Lisa Ashton taking their spots from the Women’s Series Order of Merit and Fallon Sherrock awarded a place by virtue of winning the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay in July.

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On the latest episode of Love The Darts, Devon Petersen and Michael Bridge discuss whether Sherrock deserves her place at the 2023 World Championship

Greaves, 18, has been in sparkling form in the Women’s Series, clinching second spot in the Order of Merit with seven consecutive event wins, and the reigning WDF Lakeside Women’s World Champion could be a real threat at Alexandra Palace.

Greaves, Sherrock and Ashton will enter at the first-round stage alongside the likes of Steve Beaton, Adrian Lewis and Josh Rock, with the top 32 on the PDC Order of Merit, including world No 1 Gerwyn Price, defending champion Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen, Grand Slam champion Michael Smith and a revitalised Raymond van Barneveld, playing from round two.

Wright beat Smith 7-5 in last season’s World Championship final to win the title for the second time in his career, having also triumphed in 2020 with a 7-3 success over Van Gerwen.

There were three nine-dart finishes in the 2022 tournament with Price, Darius Labanauskas and William Borland pulling off the feat.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship live on Sky Sports from December 15 to January 3.

Jamie Carragher claims the departure of sporting director Julian Ward is a worry for Liverpool and the uncertainty surrounding the club is a concern in terms of recruitment. 

Melissa Reddy reports on the news that both Manchester United and Liverpool are considering new investment and the potential of an outright sale, at the same time.

Highlights from day four of the DP World Tour Championship as the race for being ranked World number one hots up.

World Champion Peter Wright is dumped out of the Grand Slam of Darts after suffering defeat to Nathan Aspinall while Josh Rock sets up a knockout encounter with Michael van Gerwen watch every dart live on Sky Sports every day through to the final on Sunday, November 20

World Champion Peter Wright was sensationally dumped out of the Grand Slam of Darts by Nathan Aspinall while Josh Rock set up a blockbuster clash against Michael van Gerwen in Wolverhampton.

On a spectacular night, Aspinall produced a stirring comeback to knock out Wright, while Ross Smith delivered a record-breaking display in his victory over Van Gerwen.

‘The Asp’ reeled off four straight legs from 2-1 down to eliminate World Champion Wright, as Groups E-H concluded on a dramatic Day Four at the Aldersley Leisure Village.

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Aspinall sent Wright crashing out with these winning darts…

“I’m so happy to get through and I can’t believe I’ve topped the group,” admitted Aspinall, who will meet Jermaine Wattimena for a place in the quarter-finals.

“Peter is going through a tough time at the moment. I don’t think his head was in the game and I give my best wishes to Jo, but I had to go up there and do my job.”

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Nathan Aspinall couldn’t hide his delight after beating Peter Wright to top Group E

Wright required three legs to book his place in the knockout stages, and he was punished for squandering two darts at tops for a 3-1 lead in a crucial fourth leg.

Aspinall capitalised and followed up legs of 14 and 13 darts with a 106 checkout to lead 4-2, and despite spurning five match darts in an edgy conclusion, he regained his poise to wrap up proceedings via double eight.

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‘The Asp’ hit this magnificent 106 finish during his win against Wright

His 5-2 success saw him top the group on leg difference, and the Stockport star advances alongside debutant Alan Soutar, who defeated Fallon Sherrock 5-2 earlier in the night.

“Watching that match backstage – that was the worst feeling I’ve ever had in darts. It was horrible,” admitted Soutar, who will now play Jonny Clayton in Thursday’s second round.

“The Grand Slam was a free roll for me and I’m now in the world’s top 40 after less than two years on the tour, so I’m absolutely delighted.”

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Ross Smith says he wanted to show everyone what he could do against Michael van Gerwen

Elsewhere, Van Gerwen sealed top spot in Group G despite succumbing to an inspired Smith in arguably the match of the tournament so far.

‘Smudger’ was assured of qualification before his tie against Van Gerwen following Luke Woodhouse’s defeat to Nathan Rafferty, and he produced a blistering display to prevail in a nine-leg epic.

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Smith set a Grand Slam of Darts group stage record by hitting NINE maximums during his sensational win

“I wanted to show everyone what I can do against the best in the world,” said Smith, who averaged 107.9 and hit a maximum in every single leg.

“Hopefully I can kick on now. I’m loving my darts and I’m so happy with life in general, so I just want to keep going.”

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MVG nailed this stunning 145 checkout during his defeat against Smith

Woodhouse saw his qualification hopes dashed in a thrilling nine-leg affair against Nathan Rafferty, despite averaging 101, crashing in five 180s and converting the first 170 finish of the tournament.

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Rock qualified for the last 16 after hitting 121 against Humphries

In Group H, emerging Northern Irish star Josh Rock joined Luke Humphries in the last 16, after running out a 5-3 winner in a captivating showdown between the pair.

Scott Williams posted a stunning 107 average to come through a high-quality clash against Ryan Searle in the other Group G tie, registering six 180s and two 11-darters in the process.

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Josh Rock says he is proud of himself after progressing to the last 16

“I believe I can win this tournament,” insisted Rock, who will play three-time Grand Slam champion Van Gerwen in a huge last-16 tie on Thursday night.

“It will be a fantastic match. I’ve never played Michael before – he’s the second best player of all time in my opinion, but I’m not scared of playing him.”

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Luke Woodhouse pinned this wonderful 170 checkout in Wolverhampton

Earlier in the night, Jermaine Wattimena joined Jonny Clayton in advancing through Group F, punishing a profligate display from North American Champion Leonard Gates to complete an emphatic 5-1 victory.

Wattimena sealed the deal with a clinical 108 kill, and this result meant that Damon Heta needed to whitewash Clayton to keep his Grand Slam dream alive.

The Australian was unable to produce the heroic escape act, although he bowed out on a high, averaging 93 and landing three 180s to inflict Clayton’s first defeat of the campaign.

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The best of the action from another dramatic night in Wolverhampton

The last 16 of the Grand Slam gets under way on Wednesday night, as reigning champion Gerwyn Price plays UK Open winner Danny Noppert, while 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld plays Australia’s World Cup hero Simon Whitlock.

Elsewhere, former World Cup of Darts partners Michael Smith and Rob Cross collide, while Masters champion Joe Cullen meets Dutch star Dirk van Duijvenbode for a place in the last eight.

Watch the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton all the way through until the final on November 20 – with every session live on Sky Sports & don’t forget the World Championship is also coming to Sky Sports from December 15 until January 3.

Defending champion Gerwyn Price wins epic against Dave Chisnall to make it through to the last 16, while Raymond van Barneveld, Michael Smith and Rob Cross also progress watch every dart live on Sky Sports every day through to the final on Sunday, November 20

World No 1 Gerwyn Price stayed on course for his fourth Grand Slam of Darts title in five years after coming through a thrilling final-leg shootout against Dave Chisnall in Wolverhampton on Monday.

The world No 1 Price won an epic straight shootout for qualification against 2014 runner-up Chisnall, while Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Danny Noppert and Joe Cullen also sealed their spots in the last 16.

The Welshman has won all three Grand Slam events staged at the Aldersley Leisure Village, and he continued his bid for a fourth Eric Bristow Trophy by coming through a breathless affair with a 103 average.

Price was edged out by 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld in an epic contest on Sunday – despite averaging 106 – which set up a blockbuster winner-takes-all showdown against Chisnall in Monday’s headline act.

Price made a rip-roaring start to break throw in 11 darts, but a sublime 122 finish on the bull from Chisnall catapulted him into a 2-1 lead.

The Welshman responded with a brilliant double-double 99 finish on tops to restore parity at two apiece, only for Chisnall to move to the cusp of victory at 4-3 with back-to-back 14-dart holds.

However, the 2014 runner-up was left to rue missing two match darts in the penultimate leg, as Price sank double five to force a decider, before following up visits of 140, 140 and 137 by converting a clinical 87 kill to prevail in 12 darts.

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Gerwyn Price produced a brilliant 19, tops-tops 99 checkout on his way to defeating Dave Chisnall in a thriller

“Raymond and Dave have both played brilliant games against me, so I’m just glad to get over the winning line,” reflected Price, who posted ton-plus averages in all three of his Group A ties.

“I never felt dead and buried. There is a target on my back, but I’m just fortunate I’ve got a little more in the tank that I can pull out.”

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Price conceded he had doubts against Chisnall but managed to win in a last-leg decider to make it through

Price will now take on UK Open champion Danny Noppert in a stellar last-16 tie on Wednesday, after the Dutchman came through a gruelling nine-leg tussle against Mensur Suljovic to claim his third consecutive Group B victory.

Van Barneveld – the 2012 Grand Slam champion – secured top spot in Group A with an emphatic whitewash win over World Youth Champion Ted Evetts in his final round-robin tie.

“I played well. I’m feeling relaxed and I have a wonderful life at the moment,” said Van Barneveld, who is through to the last 16 in Wolverhampton for the first time since 2017.

“The hard work is paying off. I’ve got massive support, I’m the group winner and I’m amazingly proud of myself.”

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After winning all three matches and topping Group A, Barney says he is ‘relaxed’ and is ‘enjoying his darts’, with the Dutchman acknowledging his great form

Elsewhere, Michael Smith maintained his magnificent Group Stage record at the Grand Slam with a comprehensive 5-1 success against Ritchie Edhouse to finish top of Group C.

“It was about keeping my winning streak going in the groups. I want to win every game and that’s the mentality I’ve got,” insisted Smith, who averaged 102 to win a 16th straight game in the round-robin phase.

Masters champion Joe Cullen progressed alongside Smith in Group C, courtesy of a tense comeback win against four-time Women’s world champion Lisa Ashton.

“It was really tough. Lisa was fantastic, particularly early doors, but I’m just relieved I got the job done,” admitted Cullen, who converted a spectacular 158 checkout in leg six.

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Watch Joe Cullen hit this sublime 158 checkout against Lisa Ashton…

In the evening’s finale, Rob Cross moved through to the last 16 at the Grand Slam for the sixth straight year, recovering from 3-0 and 4-2 down to deny Martin Schindler in a dramatic Group D tie.

“I feel for Martin, because he was the better player tonight and he should be going through,” conceded Cross, who now faces Smith for a place in the last eight on Wednesday.

“I have struggled to settle so far but I’m expecting a better performance in the longer format, and I’m still enjoying my darts.”

Dirk van Duijvenbode had secured top spot in Group D in the evening’s opener, defying five 180s from Adam Gawlas to maintain his 100 per cent record in this year’s group stage.

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The best of the action from Day three of the Grand Slam of Darts

The £650,000 tournament continues on Tuesday, where players in Groups E-H will return for their final round of group matches, including a crunch clash between world champion Peter Wright and World Grand Prix runner-up Nathan Aspinall.

Watch the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton all the way through until the final on November 20 – with every session live on Sky Sports & don’t forget the World Championship is also coming to Sky Sports from December 15 until January 3.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon was given team orders at the restart to allow Fernando Alonso pass him and did not react kindly to the message.

Ricky Hatton began his trademark ‘Blue Moon’ ringwalk on a zimmer frame and was warmly received by his hometown crowd.