'The Bullet' Survives Major Fright as 'The Royal Bengal' Creates History for India.
The tournament's fourth seed narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, 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 managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. 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, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing 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 debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle 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.
