The Merseyside thrower Endures Major Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed 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 securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know right now. I’m emotional, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted 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.”
Other Opening Day Results
- 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 managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 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 good form as he eased past 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.
