Stephen Bunting Survives Significant Scare as The Indian pioneer Makes 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.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after landing a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, 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 square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate 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 overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.
“Words fail me at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish 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 first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
