'The Bullet' Endures Significant Test while Nitin Kumar Creates A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament 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 Rollercoaster Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Yet, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win 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 expressed. “With belief, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Additional First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's 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 other newcomer defeated 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 Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
