Stephen Bunting Survives Huge Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Creates A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Yet, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“Words fail me today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “With belief, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous prediction: “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.”
Other Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
