The Merseyside thrower Endures Major Fright while The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to advance into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, 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 same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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 American Stowe Buntz.
