European Darts Grand Prix: Stephen Bunting charges past Peter Wright

Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock lit up the European Darts Grand Prix with superb second round victories at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen on Saturday.

Bunting's bid to claim a first PDC European Tour title continued in fine fashion as he enjoyed a 6-3 win over world No 5 Peter Wright.

The Lakeside champion raced into a 3-0 lead before Wright pulled back to 4-3, but Bunting posted a sensational 170 checkout to halt his opponent's fightback, before hitting his third 11-dart leg of the game as he sealed victory.

Bunting now meets Vincent van der Voort in Sunday afternoon's third round, after the Dutchman claimed a narrow 6-5 win over Ricky Evans.

No 1 seed Gary Anderson began his bid to win a sixth ranking title of the year in impressive fashion, averaging 105.15 as he defeated Ryan De Vreede 6-3, despite the youngster hitting four 180s in reply.

Anderson now faces his protege Michael Smith in the third round, after the former world youth champion hit six maximums in his 6-2 victory over Kevin McDine on Saturday.

Simon Whitlock thrilled his vocal support in the Glaspalast crowd with a 6-4 win over Matt Clark, as the Australian secured victory with a 138 checkout.

Whitlock now meets Kim Huybrechts in the third round, with the Belgian taking out 148 during his 6-2 win over Germany's Michael Rosenauer.

Adrian Lewis opened up his game with Steve Hine with seven perfect darts but had to come from 2-1 down against the qualifier before running out a 6-3 winner, as he progresses to face Steve Beaton on Sunday.

Beaton - a winner in Sindelfingen last September - took out 124 on the bull to win the deciding leg of his contest against Shaun Narain.

June's Gibraltar Darts Trophy winner James Wade swept past Justin Pipe 6-2 as he moves through to take on Dave Chisnall, who was a 6-1 winner against German teenager Max Hopp.

Robert Thornton also dropped just one leg as he defeated Australia's emerging star Kyle Anderson 6-1, setting up a third round game with Jamie Caven, who hit six doubles from as many attempts against Andy Hamilton but needed to take out 116 to win the deciding leg of a tight battle.

Austria's emerging star Rowby-John Rodriguez sealed a 6-3 win over Ian White with a 100 checkout as he progressed to face Mervyn King, who enjoyed a 6-4 win over Andrew Gilding - who hit five 180s and a 138 checkout in defeat.

No 2 seed Brendan Dolan was knocked out 6-4 by Darren Webster, who now meets Terry Jenkins in the last 16 after the eight-time major finalist came from 2-0 down to defeat Joe Cullen by the same scoreline.