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Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle 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 final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.

An Eventful Encounter

Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. He looked in total control after landing a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.

Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed 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 pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.

“When you are playing at this venue you go through all the feelings,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”

Kumar Creates Landmark Win

Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.

The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from India.

“I don’t know right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”

Additional Opening Day Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
• Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
• Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.