Stephen Bunting Endures Major Test as The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, his form dipped, 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 pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Other First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian 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 resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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 American Stowe Buntz.
