Stephen Bunting Survives Major Fright while The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance 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 deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
An Eventful Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, 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 steadied himself in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He defeated the Netherlands' 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 “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian 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 fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- 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.
