'The Bullet' Survives Huge Scare while The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Victory
Bunting's second-round foe 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 prior first-round matches, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won 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 defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
