Stephen Bunting: 'I was nervous ahead of PDC World Championship debut'

Stephen Bunting believes that he will be ready to face James Wade in the second round of the PDC World Championship after coming through his opening game at Alexandra Palace.

Bunting, the 2014 Lakeside champion, was below his best during a 3-1 win over Robert Marijanovic on Tuesday night, but the Liverpudlian believes that he will deliver an improved display against Wade in the last 32.

The 29-year-old told PDC.tv: "It's been a fantastic year, and to get through to the next round here is a dream come true.

"I was a bit nervous at the start, and in the practice room it wasn't going as I'd liked it to, but I've got a lot of friends and family here and they helped me through.

"I've got plenty of time to get ready now, and I will be ready for James Wade because he's a great player. I'll need to be at my best to beat him, but I know that if I am at my best, I'll be hard to beat."

During his first year in the PDC, Bunting has reached the latter stages of the World Grand Prix and European Championship to break into the top 32 of the PDC Order of Merit.