'The Bullet' Weathers Huge Fright while Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to advance into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
The Merseysider, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded 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.”
Other First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated 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 Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
