'The Bullet' Survives Significant Scare while Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from India.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m emotional, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “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, ten years down the line if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
