Stephen Bunting Weathers Huge Test as 'The Royal Bengal' Makes History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at this venue you experience 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 lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw 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 walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past 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.
