The Merseyside thrower Endures Huge Test while 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out 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 enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Creates Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing 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 first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 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 fine fettle 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
