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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.

Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.

An Eventful Battle

Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.

However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.

“Performing at this venue you feel all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to come through that one.”

Kumar Makes Historic Win

Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.

The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round appearances, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India.

“I don’t know right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”

Further First-Round Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 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 beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman 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.