Stephen Bunting Endures Significant Test as Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who was a 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 Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Battle
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.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won 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 regained his composure in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Creates Landmark Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous 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 emotional, 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 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 Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 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 saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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 American Stowe Buntz.
