'The Bullet' Endures Huge Test as Nitin Kumar Secures A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, 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 regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Other First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian 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 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 fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
