Stephen Bunting Endures Huge Fright as '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 prestigious tournament on Sunday.
The Merseysider, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Battle
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to seize 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 pull back. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Historic Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words today. I’m overwhelmed, 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 joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish 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 resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off 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 Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
