James Wade came in for heavy criticism from Sky Sports Darts pundits Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster for what they called his "bullying" of Japanese opponent Seigo Asada.
Wade was involved in a tense scrap with Asada, who took the Englishman by surprise by the standard he was able to throw to, and his frustration showed itself in multiple outburts on stage.
At one point Wade made a point of celebrating right in the face of Asada, before finally coming through in a tense 3-2 victory, but his action left a sour taste in the mouths of those watching.
"That is just aggressive, that's putting yourself upon some, that's bullying,that's just nasty" said Mardle.
"If any player thinks that's acceptable then that's unacceptable because that shouldn't happen.
Wade sticking to his guns
Wade was in no mood to apologise after the match, and said his gameplan was to try and rough up Asada to try and put him ff his game.
"I dug in deep there, I could have easily lost that. I did it for my son and for my country," said Wade after the game.
"I kept giving it to him, I wanted to hurt him in his face."
Mardle on thuggish behaviour
Following on from Wade's interview, Mardle was almost lost for words and said there was no room in darts for that type of behaviour.
"I'm lost for words, that's just not on," Mardle continued. "He can't think that's right and nobody watching can think that's right it's thuggish behaviour and there's no place for that in darts."