Brilliant Bunting first through to World Championship semi-finals with victory over Ratajski

Stephen Bunting is the first player through to the semi-finals of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after claiming victory over Krzysztof Ratajski.

Bunting reached the Quarter-Finals back in his first year in the PDC back in 2015 but has reached new ground during this years' tournament after seeing off 'The Polish Eagle' in a 5-3 victory.

This saw him go 3-0 up and survive a late comeback of sorts from Ratajski but he won through in the end. This included five 180's, four ton plus checkouts including a 170 and 51% on the doubles.

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A 104 checkout saw Ratajski open up with a break to begin the first Quarter-Final. Bunting had a great opportunity from a 79 checkout to break back straight away but despite missing first time around, he was given another opportunity which he pinned on double 10 after Ratajski couldn’t hold his throw.

A 60 checkout saw Bunting lead 2-1 as he gained in confidence after winning the first leg. A 180 saw Ratajski attempt to make it 2-2 but he fluffed his lines on an 85 checkout going for double five which proved pivotal as he missed two opportunities to hold and Bunting was back for the set.

A 127 checkout from Bunting saw him break to hit the front in the second set and double 20 gave him a two leg cushion. A 74 checkout saw ‘The Bullet’ breeze to the second set without reply.

Bunting missed double 20 for a 106 and Ratajski was back for double 16 to go 1-0 up with a break In set three.

But Bunting went 2-1 up and towards a 3-0 lead. A timely 180 from Ratajski left 64 but he was pressured with Bunting leaving doube 10.

Ratajski though pinned it last dart in hand to make it 2-2. Despite that, he needed to break Bunting and he hit 140 to leave 81 after nine darts.

He pinned double six to make it 3-0 and two sets away from reaching the semi-final. Ratajski looked to claim a set back pinning an 85 checkout to make it 2-0.

He missed a 56 checkout for the set and Bunting pinned 106 against the throw as he had the throw to send it to a decider. A 140 to leave 36 saw Bunting send it all the way.

A 180 to leave 66 saw Ratajski under pressure to hit 86 for the set and the latter missed two for the set. But next time around ‘The Polish Eagle’ soared to a set back with Bunting missing his chance to go 4-0 up.

Ratajski missed a 157 checkout but was allowed back as Bunting couldn’t pin a 30 checkout and Ratajski went 2-0 up as a result. But Bunting was on the verge of a 4-1 lead with ‘The Bullet’ pinning a brilliant 170 checkout.

A 43 checkout saw him 4-1 up and one away from moving into the semi-finals. Ratajski held with a 74 checkout to go 1-0 up.

Ratajski missed an 82 checkout for a two leg lead and was punished with a 116 to hold from Bunting. The former made it seven 180’s and held on double 14 to go 2-1 up.

It was double eight for Ratajski as he went 4-2 down claiming another set back. With Bunting having the throw in the next set, he had a potential chance to go towards the finishing line.

180 to leave 41 to go 1-0 up but he missed 136 to break and go 2-0 up. Ratajski missed three darts at double and this allowed ‘The Polish Eagle’ to hold.

A 124 to break from Ratajski saw him break and go one away from making it 4-3. A 69 checkout claimed another set back for Ratajski.

An 82 checkout to break saw Bunting ahead with a break as he aimed to edge towards the finishing line once more. He pinned double 20 to go 2-0 up.

A 76 checkout pinned on double 16 saw ‘The Bullet’ through to the semi-finals for the first time as his run continues.

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2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Friday January 1

Quarter-Finals

Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)

Krzysztof Ratajski (97.58) 3-5 (101.17) Stephen Bunting (1-3, 0-3, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 0-3)

Gary Anderson v Dirk Van Duijvenbode