Stephen Bunting Endures Significant Scare while Nitin Kumar Creates A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
The Merseysider, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a light-hearted 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.”
Other First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's 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 fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
