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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.