Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler, World Darts Championship, Michael van Gerwen
Marcus Chan
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler, World Darts Championship, Michael van Gerwen
Former Darts player James Hubbard has criticised Stephen Bunting for what he did during his match against Luke Littler.
On Thursday night, world number eight Bunting took on tournament favourite Littler in the semi-final of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.
Despite many predicting a close battle, Littler was in rampant form as he sealed a 6-1 victory.
Littler will now take on three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in Friday night's final after the Dutchman beat Chris Dobey 6-1.
Taking to social media during Littler vs Bunting, former PDC World Youth Champion Hubbard was not happy with the eighth seed's actions.
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He wrote: "Aspinall last night, Bunting tonight, both of them showing miles too much respect to Littler.
"I know they’re both good friends with him but you just can’t afford to do it and make him feel even more comfortable than he is. He’s too good!!"
Bunting was seen high-fiving and fist-pumping Littler between sets as he failed to produce his best darts.
After a fan replied: "He won’t get that with MvG. It’ll be a proper match," Hubbard agreed as he said: "Yep not a chance."
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Speaking ahead of the final, Littler said: "If we both turn up like we did tonight, it will be really good (final). As soon as Luke Humphries went out, that's what everyone was looking at but I had to focus on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Now I've done that, I can focus on Michael tomorrow.
"We all know he's hunting for a fourth world title. I'm hunting for my first. Same as last night, go home, chill out and come back tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Van Gerwen said: "To win on this stage, especially on the semi-finals means a lot to me. My family is watching and it means a lot.
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"We are still so far away. I still have to battle. Tomorrow is another day and the title is far away. That's what you have to keep telling yourself. I don't want to make mistakes. I want to keep it that way."