The Merseyside thrower Weathers Significant Scare while 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the opening set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Yet, his form dipped, and he managed 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 found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew 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 Makes Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive 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 debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past 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.
