The Merseyside thrower Survives Significant Scare while Nitin Kumar Creates History 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.
'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me today. I’m emotional, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
