The Merseyside thrower Endures Huge Fright as 'The Royal Bengal' Secures A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to move into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you feel all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, implied this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know today. I’m emotional, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”
Other First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated 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.
