“If I’m under the radar, that’s fine”: Danny Noppert fires nine 180s to knock out Stephen Bunting at the World Grand Prix

Danny Noppert advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Grand Prix on Wednesday night with a 3–1 victory over Stephen Bunting — a result built on relentless scoring, calm finishing, and the kind of quiet determination that has long defined the Dutchman’s game.

Bunting actually had the higher checkout percentage (47.4% to Noppert’s 36%), but it was Noppert who delivered when it mattered most. The Dutch number two edged the first two sets by narrow margins, punishing Bunting’s missed doubles with ruthless precision. When Bunting stormed back — punctuated by a brilliant 125 checkout after Noppert had missed two match darts — the momentum seemed to shift. Yet Noppert’s response was textbook composure.

“In that moment, I thought, ‘he can do it,’ and he did,” Noppert admitted afterwards in his post-match press conference. “Then the next leg, I just focused on having a clean leg and going forward.”

That clean leg duly followed. The Dutchman sealed the win in the fourth set with a two-dart 100 checkout, barely flinching as he booked his place in another televised quarter-final.

Despite being a UK Open champion and a regular fixture in the world’s top 16, Noppert still feels overlooked in the wider darting conversation — something he’s more amused by than bothered. “I think I’m always under the radar,” he smiled. “But it doesn’t matter for me. I’m still in, I’m really happy, and I’m into the quarter-finals. If I’m under the radar, that’s fine by me — I just keep going.”

Pressed on whether he’d like more attention for his consistency, Noppert shrugged off the idea. “No, not really. It goes the way it goes. If I perform better, maybe I’ll go above the radar, but I don’t care about that.”

Even in his native Netherlands, he admits he sits in the shadows of bigger names. “Of course, I’m behind Michael [van Gerwen], and Dirk [van Duijvenbode] is coming up, and Wessel Nijman too. I’m in between that, and it’s not easy. But I try my best all the time and I’m always fighting for every match.”

It’s been a mixed season for Noppert, but his results in Leicester suggest the calm, unflappable version of “The Freeze” is returning at exactly the right time. “I think I’m stronger every year,” he reflected. “I didn’t have a really good start to this season, but I’ve found myself again. It’s more important now, at the end of the year, and I’m really happy with how it’s going.”

That improved confidence was visible against Bunting, particularly in the way Noppert handled setbacks. Even after being pegged back, he refused to show emotion, maintaining the same slow, deliberate rhythm that’s earned him a reputation as one of the sport’s steadiest competitors.

When asked if he was starting to dream of a second major title, Noppert didn’t hide the ambition. “Of course I’m dreaming about it,” he said. “I want to lift a trophy again. I don’t want to talk too much about it, but I’m really happy so far.”

And why not dream? His game looks solid across the board, and his finishing under pressure remains one of the most underrated weapons on the circuit.

He’ll need all of it in the last eight, where a rejuvenated Gary Anderson awaits. The two-time world champion dismantled Joe Cullen 3–0 earlier in the night, setting up a fascinating clash of styles between Anderson’s fluent scoring and Noppert’s icy control.