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Stephen Bunting Claims Victory in Berlin as Luke Littler Struggles
In a remarkable turnaround, Stephen Bunting achieved a stunning victory in Berlin, overcoming early-season struggles in the Premier League. Bunting, who had not secured a single win in his first eight matches of the series, finally broke his losing streak by defeating Nathan Aspinall before comfortably advancing against Luke Humphries. His dramatic journey culminated in a nail-biting 6-5 win over Gerwyn Price in the final.
Despite having a solid lead in the Premier League standings, the rising star Luke Littler faced an unexpected setback during this event. The young talent’s performance faltered as he was eliminated early, losing 6-2 to Chris Dobey in his first match after struggling to find his rhythm, particularly with his doubles.
Humphries managed a victory against Rob Cross but was unable to maintain that momentum, falling to Bunting in a 6-2 defeat. In another twist, Michael van Gerwen withdrew from the competition due to a shoulder injury, which allowed Price a straightforward path to the semi-finals. Price capitalized on this opportunity and secured a convincing 6-2 victory over Dobey to set up a final showdown with Bunting.
The final match was tense, marked by an unusual pattern where the first six legs consistently favored the player who did not have the throw. Bunting eventually found his footing, completing a 96 checkout to hold his serve. Price took the lead again at 5-4 after breaking Bunting’s throw and appeared poised for victory, yet he missed two match darts, expressing frustration at the ambient noise from the crowd.
Seizing the opportunity, Bunting leveled the match and concluded with an impressive 107 checkout, sealing his remarkable win. Speaking to Sky Sports after his victory, Bunting expressed his relief and exhilaration, saying, “After the first win, I was so relieved just to get off zero points. I’ve put a lot of work in behind the scenes, I’ve tried every week 110%. Tonight, oh my God, I’ve won an event and I’m so happy. It’s such a special moment.”
He further reflected on his journey, admitting he had feared finishing the series without any points. Now, with this victory, he feels a surge of confidence as the competition progresses. “This is going to give me huge confidence, and I can’t wait to finish the campaign.”
Despite his victory, Bunting remains at the bottom of the Premier League table, while Gerwyn Price ascends to third place as the series prepares to move to Manchester for its next leg.
Source
www.theguardian.com