'The Bullet' Endures Significant Scare while Nitin Kumar Secures History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist survived a monumental scare to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, implied this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line 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 strong start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- 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: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
