The Merseyside thrower Endures Huge Scare as 'The Royal Bengal' Secures A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to advance into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
