Stephen Bunting Weathers Significant Scare while 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.

The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.

'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.

A Rollercoaster Encounter

Bunting began in blistering fashion, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.

Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.

“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace 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 lucky to get away with that one.”

Kumar Creates Historic Win

Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.

The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.

“Words fail me right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” Kumar stated. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”

Additional Opening Day Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian 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 saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.