The Merseyside thrower Weathers Major Scare while 'The Royal Bengal' Secures History for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed 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.
An Eventful Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Yet, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “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 Secures Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, remarked this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know today. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong 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 other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.