STEPHEN BUNTING broke down in tears after reaching the semi-final of the World Darts Championship.
The Bullet continued his sensational form to brush past giant-killer Peter Wright 5-2.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsDarts/status/1874562412466016397
Stephen Bunting broke down in tears after beating Peter Wright
ReutersBunting beat Snakebite 5-2[/caption]
Bunting won the first four sets and managed to stem a Wright comeback to book his place in the last four for the second time in his career.
He is now up to fifth in the world rankings and Bunting fought back tears when he was informed of the fact on stage.
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But moments after his post-match interview the crowd favourite’s emotions got the better of him as he broke down in tears.
Bunting became tearful as he embraced his wife and son backstage, according to Sky Sports reporter Emma Paton.
He is a big fan favourite at Ally Pally and will face the winner of Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall in the next round.
Bunting got off to a fast start and led in in under nine minutes as he drilled in three of his three doubles with a 105.49 average.
Whatever the reigning Masters champion ate or drank beforehand, it did the trick because he wrapped up the second set with checkouts of 101 and a 130 on a Bull finish.
Bunting then took out a 143 in leg two of set three and then went 4-0 up before a TV ad break.
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Wright enjoyed a clean sweep of legs in set five on a 105 average – he told his family, “I’m still here” – and then bossed set six with a superb 133 thanks to two double 19s.
That finish fired him up and saw him punch the air on the oche in celebration.
Yet it was all in vain as Bunting, boosted by a 90 checkout, advanced with an hour on the match clock to bank a minimum £100,000 in prize money.
This quarter-final win essentially confirms the Bullet’s spot in the Premier League for 2025.
After his win, Bunting said: “In the back room, I felt really nervous. Peter Wright is a massive friend of mine and my son’s favourite player. So, I feel for my son.
“I knew the crowd would turn pivotal. I am so happy to get over the line. For the four sets, the crowd were unreal but must do better!
“I was in control of the game, Peter came back into it, and I thought: ‘Refocus, don’t let myself down.’ Each and every game, I have focused on one opponent.
“I hope that is the nervy one out of the way. The crowd were unbelievable again. Let’s go Bunting Mental.
“I practised with Luke Humphries 3-4 months ago and it has paid off for me, pitting my wits against the best player in the world.”
‘No excuses’
Peter Wright said: “I’ve got no excuses. Stephen played better than me and could have put the game to bed earlier, but I managed to get two sets.
“I would have liked to give him a better game, but I didn’t. I left myself too much to do.
“I wasn’t playing Stephen up there. I was playing myself and just trying to get the dart to go where it was supposed to go.
“I played well to beat Jermaine (Wattimena) and Luke (Humphries), and I had a good win against Wesley as well.
“Wesley was ranked number two on the Challenge Tour, so after the wins I’ve had in this event, I’m gutted to go up and play like that.
“I’m not defending anything at next year’s World Championship.
“I’ve also got hardly anything to defend apart from the European Championship, so onwards and upwards, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”