Stephen Bunting Survives Significant Test as 'The Royal Bengal' Creates History for India.
The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to progress into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the opening set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he managed 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 found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He concluded with a light-hearted prediction: “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.”
Further Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 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 defeated 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 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.
