🔗 Share this article The Merseyside thrower Weathers Significant Fright as 'The Royal Bengal' Secures A Landmark for Indian Darts. Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on Sunday. Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace. A Turbulent Encounter Bunting began in blistering fashion, 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 claim the second set. Yet, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2. “Performing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” 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 get away with that one.” Kumar Makes Historic Victory Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match. The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion” darts players from India. “I don’t know right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.” He added with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.” Other First-Round Results Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing 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 defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 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: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.