'The Bullet' Endures Major Scare while Nitin Kumar Secures A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at this venue you feel all the emotions,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know right now. I’m emotional, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Further First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed 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 same 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 American Stowe Buntz.
