'The Bullet' Weathers Significant Scare while Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Performing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Historic Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m emotional, I’m delighted,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
