Veteran James Wade admits playing the World Grand Prix is "awful" and "hellish" despite reaching the quarter-finals on Thursday. The 43-year-old, who last lifted a major trophy at the UK Open in 2021, continued his bid for a third World Grand Prix after producing a superb display to defeat Stephen Bunting 3-1 in the unique double-start format in Leicester.
Wade averaged 93.20 and fired in 15 140s, defying a 96 average from Bunting to book his place in the last eight. "I just felt like it was timing at the right place and the right time. It wasn't the right place for Stephen," Wade, nicknamed 'The Machine', told Sky Sports' Polly James. "I was better than average, I think. I am just grateful to win. It's so hard to win a double start. We can all play it cool and pretend to be relaxed and enjoying the game. But it's awful, it's hellish."
Wade also hailed Gary Anderson as one of the greatest ever, despite 'The Flying Scotsman' exiting the tournament following a landmark 3-1 win for Dutchman Niels Zonneveld. On Anderson's legacy, Wade said: "I've played against every dart player in the world and he is the best scorer in the world when he's at his very best. I think those days are gone now. I don't think we're going to see that scoring from Gary Anderson ever again, but when he was on he was the best scorer I've ever seen."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing