Luke Humphries needs less than 16 minutes to get title defence up and running

Luke Humphries made a winning return to the scene of his greatest moment as he began the defence of his World Championship title in style.

Humphries was back on the Alexandra Palace stage almost one year on from his memorable win against Luke Littler in the 2024 final and made light work of Frenchman Thibault Tricole.

Tricole, who had earlier raised the curtain on the 2025 tournament with a first-round win over Joe Comito, was dispatched 3-0 in less than 16 minutes.

The world number one won nine consecutive legs to whitewash Tricole and ensured he came back after Christmas, where he could meet five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in the third round.

“It was nowhere near my best, but it is two different tournaments, all that matters is to win tonight,” he said.

“If I’d have averaged 105 and lost it would have meant nothing. Now I can go into the second part of the tournament after Christmas.

“I am incredibly proud of the last 12 months, for me it has been one of the better years for a world champion since Michael van Gerwen won it.

“Even if I don’t win again I will be proud of the year I have, but it would be a beautiful way to top it off if I could become back-to-back world champion. But I have five games to get through.”

Jermaine Wattimena set up a second-round clash with James Wade on Monday after a bruising 3-0 win over Stefan Bellmont.

The Dutchman is enjoying an impressive end to the year and after reaching the final of the European Championship in October, believes he can go all the way on the biggest stage.

“I look at it match to match, but the biggest success is you winning the World Championship,” he said.

“If you can hit the final of the European Championship you can hit the final of the World Championship as well. But it is step by step. I will try.”

Keane Barry is back into the second round for the third time after he beat erratic Belgian Kim Huybrechts 3-1.

The Irishman is back on the stage on Monday night when he will fancy his chances of beating former world champion Gerwyn Price, who has had a horror year, failing to get past the fourth round in any of the televised major tournaments.