'The Bullet' Weathers Significant Scare while The Indian pioneer Secures History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Battle
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, 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 ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- 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, ended 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 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.
