PDC World Championship: James Wade hits nine-dart finish in loss to Stephen Bunting

Stephen Bunting (left) won through despite James Wade’s nine-dart finish

James Wade recorded the 10th nine-dart finish in PDC World Darts Championship history but lost 4-2 to Stephen Bunting in the third round at Alexandra Palace.

Wade led his English compatriot 2-0 – but produced his perfect leg after Bunting had fought back to 2-2.

He threw seven triple 20s, a triple 19 and nonchalantly finished on double 12 – but Bunting eventually won out.

In the fourth round, top seed Michael van Gerwen survived two match darts against him to beat Joe Cullen 4-3.

Dutchman Van Gerwen is one of a handful of players to have previously managed a nine-dart finish at the tournament, along with Dean Winstanley, Terry Jenkins, Kyle Anderson and Gary Anderson – while former champions Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis have done it twice.

There were no fans in attendance to witness Wade’s effort because of the Covid-19 pandemic and, after landing the first nine-darter at the venue in five years, his celebration was minimal as he simply shared just a fist bump with his opponent.

Bunting – the 26th seed – produced a 93.18 three-dart average throughout the match, bettering seventh-seed Wade’s 87.94 as he secured a fourth-round match against fellow Englishman Ryan Searle.

St Helens’ Bunting – who contracted Covid-19 in October – hit 60% of his checkouts compared to 30.61% from Wade and took the final set 3-2 to seal his place in round four.

In the evening session, three-time champion Van Gerwen looked to be heading out against England’s Cullen, trailing 3-1 before coming back to win and secure a quarter-final spot.

“He was playing phenomenal and he put me under pressure loads of times, and I had to do everything in my power to beat him,” said Van Gerwen.

On a day of exciting action, Krzysztof Ratajski was the first player through to the quarter-finals after a dramatic deciding-leg victory over Germany’s Gabriel Clemens.

“It was so emotional. I don’t remember ever having a match like this before,” said Ratajski, who became the first Polish player ever to reach a World Championship quarter-final.

Eighth seed Dave Chisnall dropped the first six legs of his match against Dutchman Danny Noppert – but the Englishman recovered to win 4-2 and book his place in the last 16.