The Merseyside thrower Weathers Major Test while Nitin Kumar Secures History for India.
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 forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you go through all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Historic Victory
Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me today. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing 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 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 beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
