Gary Anderson refrained from openly criticizing Adam Hunt despite being displeased with his opponent’s questionable tactics during their clash at the World Darts Championship. The Flying Scotsman narrowly defeated Hunt 3-2 in the opening round, facing unexpected challenges along the way.
Anderson, a two-time champion at Alexandra Palace, found himself in a tough spot against the world No.84 as Hunt seized a 2-1 lead during the afternoon session, threatening an upset before Anderson rallied.
Despite a shaky performance midway through the match, the No.14 seed, known for clinching consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016, managed to secure the win. Anderson’s final average of 95.2 slightly surpassed the 94.47 of his 32-year-old English rival.
While maintaining composure in his initial post-match interview with Sky Sports, Anderson acknowledged Hunt’s strong play, 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 frustration more openly during a press conference, highlighting Hunt’s unexpected behavior and hinting at possible mind games. Anderson emphasized his extensive experience in darts and his ability to consistently perform at a high level.
Looking ahead, Anderson is set to face the winner between Connor Scutt and Simon Whitlock in the next round. Despite the challenging match against Hunt, Anderson displayed solid performance with 23 scores over 100 compared to Hunt’s 24 and six 180s against Hunt’s four.
Although Anderson hasn’t reached the final since 2021 when he lost to Gerwyn Price, his recent successes on the ProTour and European Tour in 2025 indicate his strong form. A third world title would place him among legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, motivating him greatly for the upcoming matches.
