Stephen Bunting cruised through to the fourth round of the World Darts Championship with a dominant 4-1 victory over Latvia's Madars Razma on December 27, 2023, at Alexandra Palace. The match showcased Bunting's impressive form as he averaged over 100, with the crowd firmly behind him, adding to the electric atmosphere. "When you have this crowd behind you, you can win anything. They were unbelievable again. Thanks to each and every one of you!" Bunting exclaimed after his win, which has positioned him as one of the dark horses of the tournament.
Although Bunting was confident throughout the match, Razma made notable efforts, including brilliant finishes—most impressively, a 149 checkout—a feat not enough to secure his advancement. Bunting's success is especially sweet as he aims to improve upon his 2021 semi-final performance. "I've dreamed about it for the past 20 years, and I would love to do it," he mentioned, expressing the desire to keep his momentum going against his upcoming opponent, Luke Woodhouse.
Woodhouse's own match was marked by excitement as Damon Heta managed to produce the second nine-darter of the tournament but unfortunately went on to lose 4-3. Heta, who began the match strongly and even took the lead at 3-1, saw his momentum shift dramatically. After hitting the perfect leg to the delight of the Ally Pally crowd, Woodhouse regrouped and won nine consecutive legs to secure his spot against Bunting.
After the match, Woodhouse shared his feelings on Heta's nine-darter, saying, "Me and Damon are good friends... I couldn't not celebrate with him." Heta's achievement was not only celebrated publically but came with a financial reward—he received £60,000 for the nine-darter, with another £60,000 donation made to Prostate Cancer UK, courtesy of tournament sponsors Paddy Power. A fan from the audience also won £60,000 due to the excitement generated during the match.
Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton also had to battle hard to overcome Daryl Gurney, with the match concluding at 4-3 after Clayton initially took a commanding 3-0 lead. Gurney mounted a spirited fightback, managing to level the game at 3-3 before Clayton held his nerve to edge win. Reflecting on the tense moments, Clayton said, "I'm just glad I got over the line... if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be." His victory came on the back of some significant darts, including memorably breaking Gurney's throw to clinch the match.
These nail-biting matches take the championship to the next level, underscoring the unpredictability and talent present as the tournament progresses. With the next round on the horizon, all eyes will now be on Bunting and Woodhouse, alongside Clayton's matchup as he prepares to face Gerwyn Price or Joe Cullen. The excitement is palpable as the competition heats up and the remaining players push for the title, hoping to be crowned champion at the prestigious Ally Pally venue.
The World Darts Championship continues to deliver electrifying moments and fantastic performances, with players and fans alike anticipating what will come next. Whether Bunting fulfills the expectations of his fans and takes home the trophy remains to be seen.
