Stephen Bunting Survives Significant Scare as Nitin Kumar Makes History for India.

The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.

'The Bullet', who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.

A Turbulent Encounter

Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.

Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, 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 taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.

“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to come through that one.”

Kumar Creates Landmark Victory

Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. 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 landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from India.

“I’m lost for words today. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”

Other First-Round Results

• Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong 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 debutant, from New Zealand, ended 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 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 Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.