World Darts Championship: Nathan Aspinall wins 10 legs in a row against Ricardo Pietreczko to book quarter-final spot

Nathan Aspinall cruised into the World Darts Championship quarter-finals with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko at Alexandra Palace.

Aspinall picked up an incredible 10 legs in a row as the German faltered on the big stage, his 78.46 average the symbol of a poor showing.

Meanwhile, Aspinall averaged 94.28, hit six 180s and was 39 per cent on the doubles to set up a last-eight contest against either Luke Littler or Ryan Joyce.

• World Darts Championship: Full schedule
• Stream the World Darts Championship with no contract
• All you need to know about the World Darts Championship

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"I'm putting so much pressure on myself. My biggest problem is I go on social media. I'm off it now," Aspinall told Sky Sports.

"I can't do right for doing wrong: I play well, I get criticised. I say the wrong thing, I get criticised.

"I try so hard to stick two fingers up at the keyboard warriors - why am I bothered? I've got this support here today, why am I bothered what people are saying?

"I think it's a lesson learned for myself and other darts players."

After getting the crowd on their feet with his 'Mr Brightside' walk-on, Aspinall broke his opponent's throw and then wrapped up the first set on D14, taking it up another gear in the second set as he took six legs on the spin to move 2-0 up.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Pietreczko just could not find his groove and posed no threat to 'The Asp' even when given chances on the doubles, and with the Englishman's third set average at over 107, he made it nine legs on the bounce for the three-set advantage.

With a 10th leg in a row secured thanks to an incredible tops, tops finish for 131, Aspinall was one leg away and D10 was the target on which he kept himself in the hunt for the Sid Waddell trophy.

"This is probably the first game of darts since the Matchplay where I have walked on stage and loved every minute - and that is down to the crowd," added Aspinall.

Chris Dobey survived a doubling scare against Kevin Doets to win 4-3 and book his place in the last eight with a clash with Gerwyn Price on New Year's Day.

It was a match fraught with missed doubles throughout for both players, Dobey pouncing on Doets in the first set, with the Dutchman hitting back in the second, a 107.36 average in the third set giving 'Hollywood' a 2-1 lead.

However, as Dobey's favourite D16 became his enemy, Doets levelled the game once again, an incredible 130 checkout on the bullseye putting 'Hawkeye' on top.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

That did not deter Dobey though and as he found two breaks of throw to take the game to a decider, his scoring came through and he broke Doets once again, and took D10 for a huge victory.

"I gave the fifth set away when I should have been home and hosed but I dug in," he said.

Callan Rydz fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-3 against Robert Owen and book his spot in the quarter-finals for the second time in his career.

After demolishing Dimitri Van den Bergh with a 105.31 average, Rydz was expected to come out firing but it was Owen who got on top early, a 120 checkout and break of throw giving him the first set.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Welshman then continued in sensational fashion in the second set to extend his advantage by taking out 88 on the bull and 142 on D14, leaving Rydz with work to do.

However, 'The Riot' came back fighting and after just about clinching the third set in a decider to bring the score to 2-1, he found a 112 checkout and break of throw to bring the game level.

Rydz was then motoring and after whitewashing the fifth set, he had the darts in the sixth to wrap up the contest but Owen found a crucial break and with it took the match all the way to a deciding set.

While Owen had the darts in the seventh set, Rydz broke his throw twice to put himself a leg away from the quarters, and with the Welshman unable to find tops or D10, Rydz nailed D10 himself to make sure he will be returning to Ally Pally in 2025.

"I saw a photo this week of me celebrating Christmas with my grandma who I lost and it really hurt, so this is for her," Rydz said.

"The crowd got me through that match. Rob battered me in the first two sets.

"I didn't feel like I played good there but I have seen the average (97.38) and I was decent. I have a day off tomorrow to recharge the batteries."

What's next?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Day 13 at Alexandra Palace continues from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts, with Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen looking to book their spots in the last eight.

The World Darts Championship then returns on Wednesday January 1 with four quarter-finals live on Sky Sports, two from 12.30pm and two from 7pm, the likes of Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Chris Dobey going for glory.

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.