Stephen Bunting Endures Major Test while Nitin Kumar Makes History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
An Eventful Battle
Bunting made a flying start, 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.
Yet, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, remarked this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, 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 same 3-0 margin.
- 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
