PDC World Darts Championship: High-flying Stephen Bunting believes he is a ‘danger to anybody’
- Seb Sternik
- 31 December 2022
Stephen Bunting believes he is playing well enough to challenge for the world title after storming into the quarter-final.
The 37-year-old endured a relatively quiet year, with a fifth round UK Open appearance being his best run at a televised 2022 tournament.
Bunting appears to have saved his best darts for the Alexandra Palace after posting impressive averages and beating quality opposition in London.
The 21st seed opened his campaign with a 3-1 win over Leonard Gates in the second round. Bunting then produced an average of 102.24 as he stormed past Dave Chisnall in a thrilling 4-2 win.
On Friday night, the former BDO world champion took on fifth seed Luke Humphries and impressed once again.
Bunting averaged 99.43 as he picked up an emphatic 4-1 win to solidify his place in the quarter-final.
After the match, he told Sky Sports: "If you're going to play your best darts, this is the place to play it.
"I've been preparing so hard for this tournament. I've been practising with Nathan Aspinall, I've been locking myself away, I've been bruising and battering myself to hit the big scores.
"I don't know how many 140s I hit again tonight but I'm a danger to anybody in this tournament. Write me off at your peril."
He added: "I feel a bit sorry for Luke, I threw everything at him. Just so happy with that win."
The set format of the world championships also appears to be in Bunting's favour.
All the major titles the Bullet has claimed throughout his career have all come in the set format.
He added: "The only major tournaments I've ever won have been over set format. I won the Lakeside over sets, the Winmau Masters.
"I'd love to add this title to my belt. I believe I'm playing well enough. Probably got a few more games in the tank. There was a few missed doubles there, but I love the ride."
Next up for the former semi-finalist is a clash with fourth-seed Michael Smith. Looking ahead to the all-Liverpool quarter-final, Bunting said: "Both lads from St Helens. He's going to be a tough opponent.
"He's not stupid, he's watched my last two games. He knows what to expect. I know Michael, I know how he can play. I've beat him on this stage before but that goes for nothing. That was in the past. Hopefully we'll have a brilliant game."
