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While there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE KICKS ON! Luke Humphries comfortably books his spot in the Last 16 with a 4-0 whitewash victory over Nick Kenny, averaging 98.59! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/XAADalXD4Q — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! 🔥 UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! 🤯 Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. PRICE WINS A THRILLER! That might just be the game of the tournament so far! 💥 Gerwyn Price manages to break the Rockstars throw in the final leg of the game, and beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and books his place in the Last 16! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/VnjnJxP0T0 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.

Germany will kick off their title defense against Brazil, who lost their tie against China 3-0. Alexander Zverev is the highest-ranked player in this edition of the United Cup and the heartbeat of Germany. Will Germany get off to a winning start or can Brazil bounce back? As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for all the matches in this tie, as well as Karolina Muchova vs Malene Helgo and Coco Gauff vs Leylah Fernandez . But who will claim the points on offer? United Cup Day 3 Predictions: Germany vs Brazil Laura Siegemund vs Beatriz Haddad Maia Head-to-Head : Siegemund 1-1 Haddad Maia Germany doesn’t have the services of Angelique Kerber anymore so Laura Siegemund will have lots of expectations on her shoulders. Siegemund is a great doubles player but she played a lot of singles matches in 2024 and had some good runs. Beatriz Haddad Maia lost a marathon match against Xinyu Gao of China and that was a big blow for Brazil. Haddad Maia is again the favourite to win this match but it won’t be easy. Alexander Zverev vs Thiago Monteiro Head-to-Head : Zverev 2-0 Monteiro Alexander Zverev had a wonderful 2024 season and will look to start the new season with a win. Zverev was outstanding in the previous United Cup, and his performance will be critical if Germany is to defend its title. Thiago Monteiro lost badly to Zhizhen Zhang and will need to play at a much higher level to make this match competitive. Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev vs Beatriz Haddad Maia and Rafael Matos Head-to-Head : first meeting Siegemund and Zverev won some incredible matches in the previous edition of the United Cup. The pair have a 5-1 win-loss record at this event and know each others game well. Beatriz Haddad Maia didn’t play the doubles match against China so it will be interesting to see how she combines with Rafael Matos. I expect the Germans to come out on top in this one. Prediction: Siegemund/Zverev in 2 This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

Remember Y2K? It was 1999 and many were sure civilization was about to end

State Sen. Nate Boulton, center, speaks with other Democrats in downtown Des Moines on Oct. 16, 2024, the first day of early voting in Iowa. Former state Rep. John Forbes, left and Democratic congressional candidate Lanon Baccam, right, are also shown. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, conceded his race for reelection Friday after the recount for Iowa Senate District 20 concluded and found Republican Mike Pike maintained his lead. Boulton served in the Iowa Senate since 2017 and held the position of Iowa Senate Democratic whip in the most recent General Assembly. In his concession statement, he thanked his constituents and family for their support while congratulating Pike on his victory. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent my community, and serve my state, as a member of the Iowa Senate for the past eight years and as the Minority Whip this past session,” Boulton said in a statement. “The election is over and the recount has concluded. By one of the narrowest margins in the state, I will not be returning to the Iowa Senate this January.” Pike, a plumber who has not previously held political office, did not respond to requests for comment on the race. The incumbent Democrat lost by 44 votes to his GOP challenger, according to preliminary results leading into the recount. An update on the final vote count has not yet been released. In addition to Senate District 20, covering eastern parts of Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and southwest Ankeny, recounts were called for two other legislative races. Republican Mark Hanson requested a recount in his race to unseat Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Waukee in Senate District 14, and GOP challenger Nathan Ramker requested a recount in his race against incumbent Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport for House District 98 earlier in the week. While the recount outcomes from these two races have yet to be announced, GOP trifecta control of the Statehouse has already been confirmed. Republicans won a supermajority in the Iowa House and held onto their existing supermajority in the Iowa Senate in the 2024 general election. While Boulton’s loss will not have an impact on Democrats’ status as the minority party in the Iowa Senate, he was floated as a potential candidate to replace Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, who did not run for reelection in 2024. Senate Democrats planned to meet Friday evening to discuss their caucus leadership for the 2025 legislative session, Radio Iowa reported. Boulton said he plans to return to his law practice, where he specializes in labor law, workers compensation and personal injury. He said in his concession statement that he was pleased with the work he was able to accomplish at the the Iowa Legislature. “I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to do and the things we have accomplished over the past eight years,” Boulton said. “Fighting for Iowa’s workers — leading an all-night floor (debate) to challenge legislation that gutted workplace rights for thousands of union workers who answer the call of public service. Fighting to protect injured workers whose bodies and earnings are damaged as they contribute to Iowa’s economic success. Standing up for kids and introducing and passing through the Senate bipartisan legislation designed to help them get coverage for the medical care they need. ... While this term in the Iowa Senate is ending, I remain dedicated to working towards economic and social justice as we pursue a brighter, stronger future for our community, our state, and our nation.”