'The Bullet' Weathers Huge Fright while Nitin Kumar Creates A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', 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 hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Yet, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong 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 first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat 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: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
