Stephen Bunting insists he’s playing ‘the best darts of his life’ ahead of his blockbuster second round showdown against Gary Anderson at the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts tonight.
Bunting and Anderson will go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals in Wolverhampton on Thursday evening, as the last 16 action draws to a close at WV Active Aldersley.
Anderson secured top spot in Group G with a trio of victories over Ryan Joyce, Michael van Gerwen and Noa-Lynn van Leuven, which preserved his remarkable group stage record at the Grand Slam.
The two-time World Champion has progressed to the knockout stages in each of his 17 appearances at the Grand Slam, and he looks to be one of the leading contenders for this year’s title.
However, Bunting secured second position in a record-breaking Group H, which saw all four players boast tournament averages of over 100.
Gian van Veen averaged 110, 114 and 104 to record three successive wins, while Bunting overcame Wessel Nijman and Josh Rock, averaging 106 in his straight-shoot-out with Rock on Tuesday.
Nijman, meanwhile, incredibly exited the tournament without a win to his name, despite averaging 107.70 throughout his three matches.
“I’m so happy I was able to get through the ‘group of death,” declared Bunting, a Grand Slam semi-finalist in 2023.
“I’m playing the best darts of my life, and to finish second in a group where everybody played their A-game, I can take a lot from that.
“Josh and Wessel have both been a massive part of this group. They’ve played fantastic darts throughout.”
Bunting will now renew his rivalry with two-time Grand Slam runner-up Anderson on a bumper night of action, in a repeat of their clash at last month’s European Championship.
Anderson ran out a 6-3 winner on that occasion, although Bunting is confident of turning the tables in Wolverhampton.
“It will be one hell of a game against Gary. It should be a cracker,” continued the reigning Masters champion.
“I believe in my own ability, I believe in how well I’m playing, and that makes me dangerous.
“My form is really good, so I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against the best of the best, and listen, I’m still in, so I can win!
“I think there’s more to come. I still don’t think I’m 100% at it. It’s down to me to keep on doing what I’m doing.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler will also headline Thursday’s last 16 action, as he takes on World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker in another stand-out tie.
Fresh from his record-breaking group stage campaign, Van Veen takes on Ryan Joyce, while a resurgent Jermaine Wattimena meets UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh.
2024 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts
Thursday November 14 (1900 GMT)
4x Second Round
Jermaine Wattimena v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting
Best of 19 legs