The Merseyside thrower Weathers Significant Scare while 'The Royal Bengal' Secures A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to advance into the second round 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 finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.
“I don’t know right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 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 fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
