The Merseyside thrower Survives Significant Scare as Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to move 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 final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting began in blistering fashion, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed 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 taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you go through all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words today. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”
Additional First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won 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 other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
