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 managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Hunt in the opening round, although the match was far from easy.
Anderson, a two-time champion at Alexandra Palace, faced a tough challenge against the world No.84 as Hunt took a 2-1 lead in the early session, posing a threat of an upset before Anderson rallied back. Despite experiencing a slump in form midway through the game, the No.14 seed, who clinched consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016, ultimately emerged victorious. The final statistics revealed Anderson’s slight edge with an average of 95.2 compared to the 94.47 of his 32-year-old English rival.
In his initial post-match interview with Sky Sports, Anderson commended Hunt’s performance, acknowledging it as one of the best displays by Hunt in the season. However, Anderson later expressed his frustration during a press conference, recounting an incident where Hunt appeared to engage in mind games by questioning Anderson’s past performances. Anderson emphasized his extensive experience in darts and dismissed any attempts at psychological tactics by Hunt.
Looking ahead, Anderson is set to face the winner of the match between Connor Scutt and Simon Whitlock in the next round. Despite the close competition with Hunt, Anderson demonstrated his resilience and determination. Although he hasn’t reached the final since 2021 when he was defeated by Gerwyn Price, Anderson’s recent successes on the ProTour and European Tour in 2025 have boosted his confidence. A potential third world title would solidify his legacy alongside legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Expressing his ambition to claim another title, Anderson highlighted the significance of the tournament and the support from fans and organizers like Barry Hearn. He emphasized the prestige of the event and his eagerness to triumph once more on the grand stage of the World Darts Championship.