'The Bullet' Survives Major Test while The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Battle
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Yet, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- 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.
