The Merseyside thrower Endures Significant Test as 'The Royal Bengal' Secures History for India.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled 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 taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, implied this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“Words fail me at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed 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 same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he comfortably defeated 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 American Stowe Buntz.