Gary Anderson refrained from openly criticizing Adam Hunt despite his displeasure with his opponent’s questionable tactics during their clash at the World Darts Championship. The Flying Scotsman overcame Hunt 3-2 in the opening round, but the victory was hard-fought.
Anderson, a two-time champion at Alexandra Palace, faced a tough challenge against the world No.84 as Hunt surged to a 2-1 lead in the afternoon session, posing a threat of an upset before Anderson, 54, rallied back.
Despite a mid-match slump in form, the No.14 seed, who clinched consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016, managed to secure the win. The final statistics revealed Anderson’s average at 95.2, slightly surpassing the 94.47 of his 32-year-old English opponent.
Initially composed in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Anderson acknowledged Hunt’s performance, stating, “That’s probably the best Adam has played all season. The first game is the hardest, but I’m through.”
However, Anderson expressed his discontent during the press conference, highlighting Hunt’s unexpected behavior. He mentioned Hunt’s attempt at mind games and emphasized his vast experience in the sport compared to his opponent.
When asked about Hunt’s tactics, Anderson tactfully avoided direct accusations but hinted at his disapproval of such strategies. He emphasized his focus on simply playing darts without unnecessary distractions.
Looking ahead, Anderson is set to face the winner between Connor Scutt and Simon Whitlock in the upcoming round. Despite the challenging match against Hunt, where he recorded 23 scores of 100+ compared to his opponent’s 24 and achieved six 180s to Hunt’s four, Anderson remains determined to clinch his third world title.
Reflecting on his aspirations, Anderson expressed his eagerness to secure another championship, acknowledging the evolving landscape of darts and the substantial prize money at stake. He credited the growth of the sport to the efforts of key figures like Barry Hearn and voiced his desire to add another title to his impressive career achievements.