🔗 Share this article 'The Bullet' Survives Significant Fright while The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts. The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend. 'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace. A Rollercoaster Match Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. The win appeared certain after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set. However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2. “Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.” Kumar Makes Landmark Win Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest. The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland. “I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.” He concluded with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.” Additional Opening Day Action Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian 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 clear 3-0 victory. Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin. Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0. Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1. James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.