The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to advance into the second round of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after landing a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, 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 square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Win
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended 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 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
