🔗 Share this article 'The Bullet' Survives Significant Fright while 'The Royal Bengal' Secures A Landmark for Indian Darts. The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to progress into the second round of the prestigious tournament on Sunday. Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace. A Rollercoaster Battle Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the opening set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set. However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2. “When you are playing at this venue you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to come through that one.” Kumar Makes Historic Victory Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match. The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, remarked this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland. “I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.” He joked 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.” Additional Opening Day Action 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 debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 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 good form as he eased past 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 American Stowe Buntz.