Stephen Bunting Endures Significant Test as Nitin Kumar Makes History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist survived a monumental scare to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed 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.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Yet, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled 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 taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at this venue you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Landmark Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the event. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's 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 first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 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 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.
