The Merseyside thrower Survives Major Test as Nitin Kumar Creates History for India.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting began in blistering fashion, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. He looked in total control 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 landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. 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 matches, remarked this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed 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 saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
