'The Bullet' Endures Significant Fright while The Indian pioneer Secures History for Indian Darts.

The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.

Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.

A Rollercoaster Encounter

Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.

Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.

“When you are playing at this venue you go through all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to get away with that one.”

Kumar Secures Historic Win

Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.

The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from India.

“I’m lost for words right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”

Additional Opening Day Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
• Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
• Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.