'The Bullet' Endures Major Fright while Nitin Kumar Creates A Landmark for India.
The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting began in blistering fashion, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the opening set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“Words fail me today. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, 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 down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”
Other Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian 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 resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 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: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
