Jonny Clayton delivered a breathtaking performance at the Winmau World Masters on Friday evening, storming into the second round with a dazzling display against Martin Schindler. The Welshman showcased his best-ever televised performance, averaging an astonishing 112.77 to overcome the German number one in a high-quality contest at Arena MK.
“Everything clicked tonight,” Clayton admitted with a smile. “I had to produce my best against a player like Martin, and thankfully I did.”
Clayton was relentless throughout the match, landing five 180s and boasting a remarkable 66% success rate on doubles. His precision finishing included two sensational 121 checkouts, leaving Schindler—who averaged 105 himself—without an answer. The former Masters champion produced winning legs of 11, 16, 12, 10, 12, and 17 darts to cement his status as one of the tournament’s top contenders.
The victory marks an important step in Clayton’s resurgence as he looks to reclaim his place among the sport’s elite. “I want to get back to my best, and I’m going to push hard. Hopefully, I can repeat that performance tomorrow,” he added.
Elsewhere, reigning World Champion Luke Littler impressed with a dominant 3-0 win over Andy Baetens, clocking a 104 average in under 11 minutes of play. “My finishing was very good tonight, and it needed to be,” Littler reflected. He now faces ten-time TV title winner James Wade in what promises to be a blockbuster second-round clash.
Dutch darting icon Michael van Gerwen also secured his spot in the next round with a commanding 3-1 victory over Bradley Brooks. “I played some really good darts in patches, but I still made it incredibly hard for myself,” Van Gerwen admitted. The three-time World Champion will now meet Dimitri Van den Bergh, who recovered from an early setback to sweep six consecutive legs past two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.
Nathan Aspinall continued his impressive form, averaging 103 in a commanding 3-0 win over Andrew Gilding. “I have walked off stage probably the happiest and most confident I’ve been in three years,” the Stockport star said after a near-flawless display.
Elsewhere, Cameron Menzies stunned sixth seed Dave Chisnall with a 3-1 victory, while Ryan Searle powered past 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey to set up a tantalizing showdown against Clayton. James Wade also battled through a five-set thriller against Mike De Decker, sealing victory with a clean sweep in the final set.
With the first round now complete, all eyes turn to Saturday’s action-packed last 16, where Clayton will aim to build on his sensational opening performance. Can he maintain this red-hot form and push for another major title? Let us know your predictions!
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.