'The Bullet' Endures Significant Scare as Nitin Kumar Secures History for India.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who was a losing 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.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next 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.
“Performing at Ally Pally you go through all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, implied this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 fellow newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle 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.
