Quick Read
- Josh Rock defeated Gemma Hayter 3-1 in the first round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.
- Rock overcame poor finishing in the third set, sealing victory with an 81 checkout in the deciding leg of the fourth set.
- He will face Australian Joe Comito in round two.
- Rock is the 11th seed and considered a tournament favourite after an impressive 2025 season.
- Day 9 featured notable wins for Kevin Doets, Leonard Gates, and Ryan Meikle.
Josh Rock Battles Past Hayter in Tense First Round Clash
On Day 9 of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, Josh Rock faced a stern test against England’s Gemma Hayter—one that reminded fans that nothing is guaranteed on the biggest stage in darts. The Northern Irishman, seeded 11th and widely considered a favourite after a string of high-profile performances in 2025, was pushed to his limits in a match that swung with tension and drama.
Rock started strong, racing into a two-set lead and appearing to have the match under control. His scoring was crisp and his composure evident, with the crowd settling into expectations of a comfortable victory. But sports have a way of turning the script. In the third set, Rock’s finishing deserted him; he hit just one of his eleven attempts at doubles, allowing Hayter to claw a set back and ignite hope among her supporters. The air thickened, tension rising as Hayter’s confidence grew with every dart.
Hayter’s Resurgence and Rock’s Crucial Response
Hayter, determined not to let the moment slip, raised her game in the fourth set. She forced Rock into a deciding leg, pushing him to answer questions not just from his opponent, but from himself. It’s in these moments that champions are forged. With the match hanging in the balance, Rock found the resolve that’s marked his rise in the sport. He checked out an 81 finish to seal the set and the match, winning 3-1 and securing passage to the second round (BBC Sport, Sporting News, ESPN).
Afterwards, Rock admitted that Hayter’s level rose considerably as the match progressed, acknowledging the challenge she posed and the relief of getting through. The victory is more than just another tick in the win column—it’s a statement of grit under pressure, and a reminder that even top seeds must earn every leg.
Rock’s Form and Tournament Prospects
Rock’s 2025 season has positioned him as one of the players to watch. Semi-final runs at the World Matchplay, World Series Finals, and UK Open, along with a World Cup victory alongside Daryl Gurney, have elevated his reputation. But as this match showed, every round brings its own hurdles. Next up for Rock is Australian Joe Comito, a fixture on the international circuit and capable of asking fresh questions of the Northern Irish star.
“Every game is tough here. You can’t take your foot off the gas for a second,” Rock reflected after the match. The sentiment is echoed by fans and pundits alike, who see Rock’s blend of scoring power and resilience as championship material—if he can maintain his nerve in the pressure cooker of Ally Pally.
The Wider Picture: Day 9 Highlights and Implications
Day 9’s afternoon session saw several notable results. Dutchman Kevin Doets dispatched Matthew Dennant 3-1 to set up a second-round tie with Kenya’s David Munyua, demonstrating the growing international reach of the sport. American fan favourite Leonard Gates battled through a see-saw encounter with Mickey Mansell, eventually prevailing 3-2 after an entertaining walk-on and raucous crowd support. Ryan Meikle also advanced, beating Argentina’s Jesus Salate 3-0 in a straightforward contest (BBC Sport, Sporting News, ESPN).
The evening session promised further drama, with Beau Greaves—fresh from topping the Women’s Series and reaching the World Youth Championship final—facing Daryl Gurney in one of the most anticipated matches of the day. Nathan Aspinall, another crowd favourite, looked to build momentum in London as he faced Lourence Ilagan.
The updated bracket for round two now features Rock versus Comito, while quarterfinal matchups begin to take shape. With each passing round, the stakes rise and the margin for error shrinks, underscoring the relentless nature of tournament darts.
Josh Rock: Favourite Status, but No Guarantees
Rock’s performance, both in this match and in recent months, has justified his status as one of the tournament’s favourites. Yet, as this encounter with Hayter showed, reputation alone doesn’t win matches. Every leg, every checkout, every moment under the lights is a test. The journey to the world title is a marathon, not a sprint—and Rock’s campaign is off and running, but the path ahead is fraught with challenges.
For fans, the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship continues to deliver the blend of skill, drama, and unpredictability that defines the sport. Whether Rock’s name is etched on the trophy in January remains to be seen, but his opening victory is a reminder of why darts can thrill, surprise, and inspire.
Josh Rock’s escape against Gemma Hayter was a microcosm of tournament darts—where the margin between triumph and disaster is razor-thin. Rock’s ability to recover from a bout of poor finishing and seize the decisive moment speaks to a champion’s mentality, but also highlights the relentless pressure faced by top seeds. His journey through the 2026 World Championship will be shaped as much by resilience as by talent, setting up a narrative worth following in every dart thrown.