Stephen Bunting Endures Major Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Creates A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to advance into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken 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 made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the opening set. The win appeared certain after landing a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “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 Makes Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from India.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other First-Round 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 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 same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
