"That was probably one of the toughest games of my life": An emotional Josh Rock after his victory over his close friend Stephen Bunting

Josh Rock booked his place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Matchplay with an impressive 11-6 victory over Stephen Bunting. However, while the result marked another major milestone in his career, it also left the Northern Irishman visibly emotional afterwards, having just eliminated one of his closest friends on the PDC Tour.

Although Rock managed to keep his emotions in check during the match, he admitted afterwards that facing Bunting had been mentally draining. "Stephen's one of my best friends from the tour. When I played the Premier League it was always me and him," he said on Sky Sports visibly emotional.

Because of that friendship, Rock knew he had to change his mentality before stepping onto the stage. That also explained his passionate celebrations throughout the contest that Rock himself admitted that he didn't particularly want to do.

"But obviously playing the Major it was a big thing for me so it was difficult, I had to change my mindset and obviously I'd done it with celebrating and I apologised to him for that, but I know I had to do, had to change something to try and get through this game."

The match itself was a slow burner, with both players averaging only in the 70s during the opening session. Rock believes their close friendship was a major factor. "I think it was probably the friendship thing, Stephen's one of the best players in the tour, it's very hard to play against him but I think he showed it when he played as well so that was a relief."

Awaiting him in the quarter-finals is an enormous challenge against Luke Littler, who earlier in the evening produced a nine-dart finish and a dominant victory.

Rock even found time to joke about his next opponent's performance and that he predicted the nine-dart finish. "Obviously it's myself, I know I've got a tough game next against Luke, hopefully he doesn't play as well as he did tonight, it would help me a lot, but it was great to see, if you ask anybody in the back room I called the nine-darter in the first leg. So obviously it was great that Blackpool got another nine-darter. That's good for everybody but that was probably one of the toughest games of my life."

The quarter-final will be a rematch of Rock's thrilling encounter with Littler from last year. The Northern Irishman pushed the now reigning world champion all the way on that occasion and believes he can do so again, despite Littler's sensational form.

"Yeah, I matched him last year but there's a difference, last year I've been nearly four stone lighter, but listen I'm going to give it all against Luke, if I have to give it large 180s and finishes, if that gets me through the game, so be it, I'm here to win those titles, best to come."