"Who doesn't look forward to playing the best players in the world?" - Stephen Bunting confident of challenging Luke Humphries in World Matchplay second round

Stephen Bunting survived a scare on Sunday to advance a round at the 2024 World Matchplay. 'The Bullet' was involved in a thriller in his opening match against Ryan Joyce and eventually won 12-10. As a reward, he gets to face world champion and world number one Luke Humphries in the next round.

"I'm so happy to get over the line," admitted a relieved Bunting, who reached the quarter-finals at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool back in 2019, post-match. "I went through so many emotions in that game. There were certain times where I felt I could just place them in the treble, and then there were other times I felt I was throwing with my wrong hand!"

As mentioned, next up for Bunting, is the unenviable task of taking on Luke Humphries in the next round, made all the more challenging by the world champion's stunning first round win over Ricardo Pietreczko on Saturday. "I can't wait for the game against Luke. He was fantastic in his first game, but who doesn't look forward to playing the best players in the world?" Bunting asks aloud excitedly.

So Bunting really believes in his chances against Humphries. "Yeah I'm quietly confident, but it's about getting myself ready and going on again," Bunting explains. "I'm confident to beat anyone to be honest. He's not to be messed with, but I like messing with people! I can beat him. I've done it before over a long format as well and we've had a few really good games over the last few months. He will go off massive favourite. He's a fantastic player, he's world number one, he's World Champ, but can I win of course I can!" Bunting concludes, full of optimism and self belief.