Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, implied this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words today. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Additional First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive 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 commanding 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 good form as he comfortably defeated 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.
