'The Bullet' Survives Huge Test as The Indian pioneer Secures A Landmark for India.
The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent 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 final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from India.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering 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 dominant 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 saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 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 beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
