Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall have taken off this week
After Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall recorded their quarter-final victories, the St Helens duo are starting to dream of World Cup glory.
‘The Bullet’ featured Krzysztof Ratajski in a nail binder, to reach the last four for the first time in his career, while Chizzy hit Michael van Gerwen in a whitewash effect.
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“The best gain of my career,” beamed Bunting. “A few years ago, I could have walked away from the sport,” he said.
“I was number one in the world for two years in the BDO, and I was the best player in the world on that side.
“You come over, you start to get a few hits, and it gives you confidence. You don’t really feel it for the first few years. Of course you’re playing in the Premier League, which I was terrified, but then coming out of the Premier League, and the aftermath, it really affected me at a big time, it was hard to take.
“I feel now, I could be a world hero again. It’s a deceptive situation.
“I’ve been working hard, don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen sports psychologists. I did everything I could. I have a good support network behind me.
“I never thought I would play darts again. I was locking myself away and feeling so low. Lots, lots of tears, talking to family and stuff. I fell in love with it Now, I like the sport again, I love the practice, and who knows where the sport will take me?
“I’m a bit like Jurgen Klopp, to be honest. I’m the normal guy. I’m the normal guy. I’d like to win this title. It would mean the world to me.”
The St Helens thrower is done right on and off the board, and pays dividends on the night.
He averaged 101 in the quarterfinals, hit 170 payouts and went 19/36 when finished.
“I’ll never give in. Don’t say die. That’s a big difference in me this year,” he explained.
“I’m dangerous. I’m in the semi-finals. Who’s to say I can’t win?
“I’ve been working hard at home. I have been trying to get my form back. I have turned to these new darts and they feel amazing.
“I sat down with Target. We developed this new sting. I believe these are the darts that are going to take me to the next level. On the practice board, I’m amazed by them. I hit a lot 180s., the big finishes. “
I can rewrite history here. I can earn this. I know I’m good enough.
Bunting is optimistic
Few would argue that Bunting would still stand at the semifinals, but he is far from gaining the upper hand among a prestigious company.
“I’m coming in quietly, under the radar,” he said.
“I looked at the strange things [before the quarter-finals]. I was the complete stranger for the whole event, which was very good for me. I know I play well, I know what I can do. Let people put me off at their own risk, because I am here to earn this. I’m not here to make up the numbers.
“I’m the alien again. I’m there to win this. They’re good players on their own, but I can rewrite history here. I can earn this. I know I’m good enough. “
Bunting takes Price forward in the semifinals
Price of guns for the same place in the world
Bunting will face Gerwyn Price, hot on the heels of the first World Championship crown and the only place in the world.
The bullish Welshman feels he has room for improvement, having come back with Daryl Gurney.
“I don’t think it came back. I went off the boil and stopped playing. I was thinking too much and I wanted it too much. I was wasting the last three sets. and I was lucky to get over the winning line, “the Iceman said.
“But I’m still in the competition. I have a big semi-final and I’m going to give it my all. The last semi-final I was in, I put it up, and i didn’t know if I was going to come back and get a chance at another semi-final.But I’m there tomorrow and I’ll shoot all guns.
“It’s going to be different for me than it was last year in the semi-finals. I hope I can reach the final, get number two [in the Order of Merit] and a chance to get number one!
“It’s going to be a tough game. Stephen’s got new darts and they look like they’re going well for him. But I’ve had those darts for six years so they’re going to good for me! “
3:45 Gerwyn Price said he rode his fortune against Gurney
Can Chizzy support him?
Four of the last five times Michael van Gerwen was beaten in the World Championship, the winner went on to claim the prize.
Can Chisnall return to the height of his amazing victory on Friday night?
The Englishman is no stranger to causing seismic shock at Ally Pally, after beating Phil Taylor 4-1 in 2012. At the time, he failed to support him, suffering a 0 loss -4 to Andy Hamilton in the following round.
But nine years on fast and Dave Chisnall is a much better player. By permission, the main PDC title didn’t follow, but why can’t that change this week?
The former Premier League star has consistently improved on-match, annoying Dimitri Van den Bergh and MVG.
Can he reach the final? Gary Anderson is in shape standing in his way.
0:50 Chisnall surprised the competition
Is Anderson back so good?
The Flying Scotsman has made sure that this campaign is a real sight for him, and that he will aim to return to his main form in 2021.
“That was good. It’s not the 180s at all, but the 140s, I felt like they were good,” he said after a 5-1 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode.
“I always said, I just want this year to be done. Next year, bang it. It’s back on the table. Ryan Searle lives 40 minutes up the road , we’re going to start hitting heads, two, three, four times a week, just to get both ends back.
“Not yet [back to my best]. Not yet. He gets there. “
2:43 Anderson says his best is yet to come
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