The Merseyside thrower Weathers Significant Scare as Nitin Kumar Creates History for India.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to advance into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at this venue you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”
Additional Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian 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 other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.