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Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to advance into the next stage 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 finally clinching a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.

An Eventful Encounter

Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.

Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.

“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to come through that one.”

Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory

Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He defeated the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.

The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.

“I don’t know today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He concluded with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”

Further Opening Day Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong 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 commanding 3-0 victory.
• Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 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: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.