Stephen Bunting Weathers Significant Fright as 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out 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 let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you feel all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, remarked this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m emotional, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people 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 strong start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
