The tournament's fourth seed narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed 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.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you go through all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from India.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish 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 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 defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
