'The Bullet' Survives Major Scare while Nitin Kumar Creates A Landmark for Indian Darts.
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.
