'I've enjoyed every minute of it': Stephen Bunting rested and refreshed, ready for World Series of Darts Finals title tilt

Tough first hurdle

The draw, however, brought Bunting little luck. His first opponent is Danny Noppert, the down-to-earth Frisian known for his solidity and coolness in the big moments. Noppert is also in fine form, with good results on the Pro Tour leading up to this tournament.

"Danny is a great player. He's played well on the ProTour this week, so he'll be going in with confidence, but I just need to make sure I bring my best game to enable myself to beat him," Bunting said realistically.

Should Bunting succeed in beating Noppert, another dangerous obstacle awaits him in the second round. There he will face the winner of the clash between Krzysztof Ratajski and top Northern Irish talent Josh Rock. Two opponents who can beat anyone on their day.

Ambitious but realistic

Despite the tough route ahead of him, Bunting is optimistic. His performance over the past year gives him confidence that he can compete for the title until the final day. The Englishman exudes a combination of modesty and determination: he knows it will not be an easy task, but at the same time he firmly believes in his own abilities.

With his characteristic composure and a style of play that has become increasingly consistent in recent months, he is among the tournament's top favorites. A victory in Amsterdam would crown his already impressive year and further cement his status as an absolute world-class player.

The darts world is eagerly awaiting the start of the World Series Finals, and with Stephen Bunting as the top series leader, there is plenty of reason for excitement and anticipation. The Englishman is experiencing his best season in years, but knows that maximum focus is needed right from the first arrow to overcome the tricky obstacles. With opponents like Noppert, Ratajski and Rock in his path, a leaden road awaits him, but Bunting is ready.