Ratajski and Bunting seal straight sets victories to begin World Grand Prix

Monday, 03 October 2022 at 21:21

Krzysztof Ratajski and Stephen Bunting have swept through to the second round at the 2022 World Grand Prix in Leicester.

Ratajski sealed a straight sets win over Callan Rydz with 60% on finishing doubles with a 90 average and two 180's.

A 68 checkout saw Ratajski go towards the opening set with a break of throw but didn’t get a shot to win the set with Rydz breaking back on double 20 and it was sent to a decider.

134 for Rydz left 66 for the set but he missed double 20 which allowed Ratajski back for double 16 to seal it 1-0. A 72 checkout for Ratajski saw him break and despite a 180, he went 2-0 up and one away.

Rydz missed 120 to hold but after Ratajski missed one match dart, ‘The Riot’ went 2-1 down but ‘The Polish Eagle’ finally soared to victory on double five.

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While Bunting after reaching the semi-finals last year saw off Brendan Dolan in straight sets with 50% on finishing doubles, two 180's and an 86 average and he will now face Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson .

Bunting hit a 180 to leave 82 before finally hitting double 20 to hold. Dolan hit back with double 12 to make it 1-1.

‘The Bullet’ started with 160 and hit double 16 to go 2-1 up and towards the opening set but failed to get off on the Dolan throw and ‘The History Maker’ made it 2-2.

Bunting started with 157 and was first to a finish in the set on 48 missing double 16 but hitting double eight to seal it.

Dolan missed three for the opening leg of the second set but Bunting missed 77 for the leg and the former returned for double six for 1-0.

Bunting missed two darts from 90 but Dolan missed a golden chance to break and Bunting got away with it at 1-1. This time ‘The Bullet’ hit double 20 to go one away before pinning 48 to seal the win.