Stephen Bunting Endures Huge Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Secures History for India.

Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend.

Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.

An Eventful Encounter

Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.

Yet, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the next 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 decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.

“Competing at this venue you go through all the emotions,” Bunting stated on 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 Creates Groundbreaking Win

Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.

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

“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” 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 prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”

Further Opening Day Results

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won 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 fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.