The Merseyside thrower Endures Significant Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Creates A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Battle
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Creates Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from India.
“Words fail me at this moment. I’m emotional, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 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 resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.