Bunting edges past Justicia in PDC World Championship sudden death thriller

Stephen Bunting is through to the Third Round at the 2020 PDC World Championship but he had to work hard for it against Jose Justicia.

Justicia played well but in a back and forth sudden death tie, it was Bunting that proved his metal. He hit 10 180's, 48 percent on doubles and high finishes of 148 and 124 en route to victory and looked good in the process.

Justicia started well defying a 102 average from Stephen Bunting to win the opening set 3-1 hitting a brilliant 128 checkout en route. Could 'The Joker' prove the spoiler to 'The Bullet'?

He held his throw successfully on double six to go 1-0 up in the next set and he continued to take the game to Bunting.

Despite having the chance to, he couldn't break his throw and Bunting levelled it up. He followed it up with a 148 checkout. Bunting missed multiple darts for the set but he wasn't punished by Justicia and as a result it went to 1-1.

Justicia though was far from done and he streaked into a 2-0 lead again hitting double 16 to double his lead in the third set. Bunting hit a 124 checkout to reduce the deficit so the pressure was now on the Spaniard to hold his nerve and go one set away.

He didn't and Bunting broke again to put it into a deciding leg. A 72 checkout saw Bunting return to the foray and seal the deal to go one away himself.

Both players exchanged legs in the requisite set on throw so it was still very much anyone's. 'The Joker' though held firm to seal the fourth set from there 3-1 to send it to a decider.

Bunting took the early initiative in the decider finishing 70 on throw and he went one away with a 92 checkout but again it was never say die from Justicia who levelled it up to force sudden death which had to be won by two clear legs.

He pounced on Bunting missing the big number on 72 and Justicia broke throw to go one away but again it went on as there was another break for Bunting. A 36 checkout saw him hold and go one away again.

Justicia did the same to draw it level again. Despite that, Bunting went one away on double four and he took the advantage to hit a 64 checkout and claim victory.

Click here for more information on the PDC World Darts Championship, which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.

PDC World Darts Championship 2020 schedule

Wednesday December 18, afternoon session

Ron Meulenkamp (91.9) 3-0 (88.36) Ben Robb (R1)
Mickey Mansell (80.15) 0-3 (91.97) Seigo Asada (R1)
Harry Ward (84.04) 3-2 (83.12) Madars Razma (R1)
Stephen Bunting (93.85) 3-2 (91.82) Jose Justicia (R2)

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