'The Bullet' Endures Huge Test while 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Battle
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered 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 managed just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Alexandra Palace you go through all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “With belief, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's 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 other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
