The Merseyside thrower Endures Huge Fright as Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for India.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to advance into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
However, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Other Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 clear 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- 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: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
