Rob Cross Advances at PDC World Championship, Eyes Return to Form
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A dominant performance saw former champion Rob Cross secure his place in the second round of the PDC World Championship with a decisive 3-0 victory over Norway’s Cor Dekker. The win marks a crucial step for the Englishman, who is seeking to recapture the form that led him to triumph at Alexandra Palace in 2018.
Cross, currently ranked 17th in the world after a challenging year, demonstrated control throughout the match. He began strongly, averaging just under 100 in the first set to establish an early lead. While his average dipped slightly in the second set, he persevered, winning from a leg down.
Clinical Finishing Seals Victory
Dekker, making his debut at the tournament, struggled with his doubles, a weakness Cross expertly exploited. The 2018 champion was particularly clinical on the outer ring in the opening sets, culminating in a spectacular finish – a 170 checkout, often referred to as the “big fish” in darts. His overall performance yielded an average of 90.84 and a 47.4% checkout success rate.
“I was a bit edgy today but to finish with that one, I’ve been doing that all week,” Cross told Sky Sports. “I’m really proud of myself and there’s a lot more in the tank yet. I think I’ll be better in the next game – I feel like I’m back. If I play my best stuff, I’ve definitely got a chance.”
Next Round Challenge and Other Results
Cross will now face Ian White in the next round, after White overcame a strong fightback from Mervyn King to win their match 3-2. Earlier in the session, Ryan Searle, the 20th seed, delivered a commanding performance, defeating Chris Landman of the Netherlands 3-0 while hitting five 180s. The opening match of day two featured a 3-0 win for Dutchman Niels Zonneveld against New Zealand’s Haupai Puha.
This early success at the PDC World Championship signals a potential resurgence for Cross, who believes he is regaining the form necessary to compete at the highest level.
