Nigel Chiu
Sports Journalist
A clash of generations will take place on Saturday as Raymond van Barneveld overcame Jim Williams and will face Luke Littler next; World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final next Wednesday – we’re back on Friday at 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
Last Updated: 29/12/23 5:16pm
Raymond van Barneveld beat Jim Williams 4-1 to set up a mouth-watering last 16 tie against Luke Littler on Saturday.
Van Barneveld hasn’t reached this stage of the competition since the 2018 tournament and is 40 years older than 16-year-old Littler.
Littler has got the darting world talking with his incredible run to the fourth round on debut and is third favourite to win the whole event, only behind Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.
World Darts Championship: Friday Afternoon Results
| Damon Heta | 4-3 | Berry van Peer (R3) |
| Jonny Clayton | 4-2 | Krzysztof Ratajski (R3) |
| Jim Williams | 4-1 | Raymond van Barneveld (R3) |
Van Barneveld didn’t show too much spark but won the key legs including a dramatic first set where Williams missed five set darts.
The Welshman levelled up by taking the next set but Van Barneveld won the next six legs of the match to go 3-1 up and was on course for a run of nine consecutive legs as he went 2-0 up in the fifth set, only for Williams to fight back to 2-2 and send it to a deciding leg.
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Jim Williams did not need long to warm up as he took out 135 and completed a 12-dart first leg against Raymond van Barneveld
Throwing first, Van Barneveld held his nerve and found D8 to get over the line but faces a big challenge against the rising superstar Littler next.
Heta fights back and Clayton wins
Elsewhere, Damon Heta roared back from two sets down to beat Berry van Peer 4-3 in a rollercoaster match.
Heta went 3-2 ahead and was on course to win four consecutive sets, only for the Dutchman to turn the tables with a 108 checkout and an 11-dart leg to take the match into a decider.
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Damon Heta had the fans in Alexandra Palace on their feet as he orchestrated a rousing rendition of ‘Stand By Me’ on his way to the stage
A scrappy first leg in the seventh set went the way of Heta, as he broke the throw, which set the Australian up to win the set 3-1 and book a place in the last 16 where he will face Scott Williams.
Jonny Clayton wasn’t at his best but took a 4-2 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski and will play former world champion Rob Cross on Saturday.
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Damon Heta had the fans in Alexandra Palace on their feet as he orchestrated a rousing rendition of ‘Stand By Me’ on his way to the stage
Anderson, MVG and Smith headline Friday night
Later on Friday night, two-time world champion Gary Anderson rounds off the third round action against Croatia’s Boris Krcmar from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts.
Michael van Gerwen then takes on Stephen Bunting and the fourth round begins with reigning champion Michael Smith going up against ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey.
The last 16 will conclude on Saturday December 30, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final taking place from January 1-3.
The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports with a NOW Sports Month Membership