Image source, PA Media

Jonty Colman

BBC Sport journalist

Jonny Clayton pulled off a sensational final-set comeback to beat Mickey Mansell in a sudden-death 3-2 win in the second round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.

The Welsh number seven seed was a leg away from defeat twice to his Northern Irish opponent, but came from behind to win the final set 6-5 in a sudden-death leg.

Clayton lost the opening set of the match, as he looked to avoid becoming the 12th seed to be knocked out, but fought back to lead 2-1.

He was pegged back by 51-year-old Mansell, who then missed match darts on double tops in the deciding set.

The Welshman will face either Daryl Gurney or Florian Hempel in the third round after the three-day Christmas break.

“I was very emotional. I’ve got to be honest, that meant a lot,” said Clayton after the win.

“I had chances before and Mickey definitely had chances before. It wasn’t great to play in, not the best – I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

“There is a lot of weight off my shoulders after that. I know there is another gear or two in the bank, but I’ll be honest that meant a lot to me, it is a tester and will try and make me believe again.”

Clayton, who is in the favourable half of the draw following shock second-round exits for former world champions Michael Smith and Gary Anderson, found himself 2-0 down in the fifth and final set after consecutive 136 and 154 checkouts from Mansell.

To stay in the match, Clayton won three legs on the trot in 15, 12 and 10 darts to wrestle a 3-2 lead, with the final set needing to be won by two clear legs.

In the sixth leg of the set, Clayton missed three darts for the match as Mansell levelled at 3-3 before his unseeded opponent broke Clayton’s throw to lead 4-3.

Mansell then missed a dart at double 20 for the match on a 96 out as Clayton levelled at 4-4.

Clayton and Mansell exchanged holds of throw to take the final set to a deciding leg, which Clayton won on double five after two missed checkouts.

Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock booked his place in the third round against England’s Chris Dobey with a 3-0 win over Wales’ Rhys Griffin.

Martin Lukeman, runner–up to Luke Littler at the Grand Slam of Darts last month, is out after a 3-1 loss to number 21 seed Andrew Gilding.

The final day before the Christmas break started with Poland’s number 31 seed Krzysztof Ratajski recording a 3-1 win over Alexis Toylo of the Philippines.

The final four second-round matches take place during Monday’s evening session. Former world champion Rob Cross faces 2024 semi-finalist Scott Williams in the last of those matches.

BBC Sport will have live text commentary of those matches from 18:45 GMT.

Second round

Krzysztof Ratajski 3-1 Alexis Toylo

Andrew Gilding 3-1 Martin Lukeman

Josh Rock 3-0 Rhys Griffin

Jonny Clayton 3-2 Mickey Mansell

Matches start at 19:00 GMT

Second round

Gian van Veen v Ricardo Pietreczko

Daryl Gurney v Florian Hempel

Dave Chisnall v Ricky Evans

Rob Cross v Scott Williams

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