'The Bullet' Survives Major Scare as Nitin Kumar Creates History for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you experience all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Other Opening Day Results
- 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 managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off 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 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.
