Stephen Bunting insists there is still room for improvement as he prepares to take on fifth seed Luke Humphries for a place in the Cazoo World Darts Championship quarter-finals on Friday night.
Bunting – a semi-finalist in 2021 – is bidding to reach the last eight at Alexandra Palace for the third time in his career, after producing a superb display to defeat his fellow St Helens star Dave Chisnall 4-2 on Thursday.
The former Lakeside Championship winner averaged 102, landed nine 180s and converted 52% of his attempts at double to secure his first big stage success against Chisnall in over five years.
Bunting boasts an impressive record in the sport’s showpiece event, having also made the quarter-finals on debut in 2015, but he hailed his victory over Chisnall as one of his greatest.
“That’s the best I’ve ever played on that stage,” admitted Bunting, who also converted 104, 114 and 140 finishes to cap off a dazzling display.
“I was playing unbelievable darts backstage. I hit a nine-darter in practice, I felt really good, my finishing was flying.
“Chizzy was throwing everything at me, but there were stages in that game where I felt like I could just place them in the treble 20, and then I’d turn around and Chizzy had three in the treble as well!
“I’m feeling pretty confident. Everything I’ve ever won – the Lakeside, the Zuiderduin Masters, the World Masters – all my main titles have come through set play.”
Bunting, who overcame North American Champion Leonard Gates in his opening tie, will now take on former UK Open runner-up Humphries for a place in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.
Humphries has enjoyed a terrific 2022 campaign, scooping five senior titles while also featuring in back-to-back televised semi-finals at the Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals.
The Berkshire-born star is now up to a career high of fifth on the PDC Order of Merit, but Bunting will head into Friday’s showdown in confident mood.
“I always believe I can win it,” insisted the 37-year-old, who is defending £100,000 in prize money at this year’s tournament.
“I know it’s going to take my best game. Was that my best? I don’t know. I think there are more levels in the locker.
“This year has been fantastic for me. I’m probably one of the most consistent players on the tour, even though the results don’t go my way.
“I believe there is a lot more to come, and I believe it’s going to come at this tournament.”
Humphries, meanwhile, survived a scare to defeat Vincent van der Voort in a seven-set thriller on Thursday, with the Dutchman recovering from 2-0 and 3-2 adrift to send the match all the way.
However, Humphries turned on the style in the deciding set, averaging almost 113 to wrap up victory, firing in a brace of 14-darters and a sublime 140 finish to keep his title hopes alive.
“I dug deep again, but I can’t keep putting myself in these positions,” conceded the 27-year-old, who also came through a deciding-set clash against Germany’s Florian Hempel in round two.
“I am used to being in those pressure situations where you have to produce, and I feel much more confident now when my back is against the wall.
“Stephen was fantastic against Dave, but this is a different game, and it’s always hard to replicate to those fantastic games you play.
“I want to get over that hurdle of making the semi-finals, so I’ll be making sure that I start finally bringing my A-game to this stage, because I know I can.”
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Friday December 30
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x Fourth Round
Rob Cross v Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting