In a seismic first-round shock at the PDC World Darts Championship, Swiss debutant Stefan Bellmont produced a career-defining performance to whitewash legendary five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld.
A Historic Victory for Swiss Darts
The 36-year-old from Cham, Switzerland, secured a stunning 3-0 straight sets victory over the Dutch icon at London's Alexandra Palace. This landmark win marks the first time a Swiss player has ever won a match at the sport's premier tournament, sending shockwaves through the darting world.
An emotional Bellmont struggled to articulate his achievement in the immediate aftermath. "I have no words for this. I'm proud of myself," he stated. He emphasised the broader significance for darts in his homeland, adding, "This is a great experience for all Swiss people. Hopefully we will get more Swiss people playing darts."
Wade Cruises as Favourites Advance
Elsewhere on the opening night's card, world number seven James Wade enjoyed a far more straightforward passage into the second round. The four-time Alexandra Palace semi-finalist dispatched Japan's Ryusei Azemoto in straight sets, dropping just a single leg in a dominant display.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Wade admitted to feeling the pressure after a difficult run. "That was more luck than judgment – thankfully he got more nervous than I did," he said. "I made the most of my opportunities. Textbook. I haven't won a game for three years, so I had put a lot of pressure on myself. I'm just happy to win and move forward." He will now face Ricky Evans in the next stage.
Opening Night Round-Up
The evening's action at the PDC World Darts Championship began with American thrower Adam Sevada overcoming Canada's Matt Campbell 3-1. The night concluded with German 13th seed Martin Schindler securing a 3-1 victory over England's Stephen Burton, ensuring the higher-ranked player avoided an early upset.
However, the story of the session, and perhaps the entire championship so far, belongs to Stefan Bellmont. His demolition of a darting great like Van Barneveld serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable drama that defines the sport's biggest stage.
