Bunting confident after superb Gurney win: "I'm playing better than I've ever played"

Stephen Bunting produced a brilliant display to see off the 2017 champion Daryl Gurney on the opening night of the World Grand Prix in Leicester.

Bunting hit a 99.05 average and multiple ton plus checkouts and despite some poor form recently, he believes he is playing some of his best darts at the moment.

"In the practice room, I tried to keep away from the football results obviously 2-2 (Liverpool - Man City) but I felt really relaxed all week to be fair coming into it. I come off a holiday in Gibraltar, I lost pretty early there and I was terrible but I didn't let it bother me. I just thought get here, obviously double off is a bit of a leveller and my doubles were really good today so I'm really happy.

"I think when I first switched over to the PDC, I reached the semi-finals. Had a few scrapes and bumps along the way but I actually believe I'm playing better than I've ever played. I trust in the darts that I'm throwing with and I think that showed tonight.

This is a stark parallel to last year when he tested positive for Covid-19 and was forced to miss the World Grand Prix, he discussed the difference between then and now.

"It's just so nice to be able to turn up to events again with fans, it was so difficult last year. I was prepared for my game, I just remember sitting there and there was a knock on my door and it was such a devastating blow."