Overview
- Littler swept David Davies 3-0 to reach the third round and is scheduled to play Suljovic in the evening session on Saturday, December 27 after the Christmas break.
- Suljovic beat Joe Cullen 3-1 in a tense match that drew slow‑play accusations from Cullen; Suljovic denied any gamesmanship, and Littler said he will be ready for a slower tempo.
- Gerwyn Price’s 3-0 loss to Wesley Plaisier removed a projected quarter‑final against Littler and opened up the top seed’s section of the draw.
- Two‑time champion Peter Wright fell 3-0 to debutant Arno Merk, ending the prospect of a later meeting with Michael van Gerwen and further altering the bracket.
- Luke Humphries advanced by defeating Paul Lim 3-0, Ricky Evans edged James Wade in a deciding‑set tiebreak, and the tournament pauses from December 24–26 before resuming on the 27th.