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The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.

Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.

A Turbulent Battle

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

Yet, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious 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 taking it 4-2.

“Competing at this venue you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.”

Kumar Creates Historic Win

Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.

The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, 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 delighted,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He joked with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have eight people 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 comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgian 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 beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch 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.