The Merseyside thrower Endures Major Scare while Nitin Kumar Makes History for India.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you go through all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong 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 clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- 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: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.