Former World Champion Rob Cross does what is required in the World Darts Finals, facing defending champion Luke Littler in the Round of 16.
Former world champion Rob Cross managed to easily qualify for the Round of 16 in the PDC World Darts Championship, preparing to face the defending champion Luke Littler.
Cross, who won the championship in 2018, achieved a crushing four-set victory over the 16th seed Damon Heta from Australia.
The 17th seed Cross was paired in the fourth round with two-time champion Gary Anderson, who secured a strong win in the final set over the Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena.
The Scottish champion Anderson held a 3-1 lead in a match known for its exciting stakes, recording a dazzling performance with an average of 121 in the third set.
Alternatively, Anderson missed three potential match-winning darts in the fourth set, playing double eight with the first dart from the required 32, before missing the same target twice.
Wattimena brought life back into his match and forced a final set, despite Anderson missing more match-winning darts in the fourth set.
Anderson missed eight out of nine darts to win one leg, before hitting double 12 at the top, and finally managed to clinch the set with four legs to continue his pursuit of the title as the oldest champion at the age of 55.
He achieved an average of 102.24 in the match—the eighth highest average in this year’s championship—and recorded a checkout percentage of 37.5 percent.
“It’s not good for my age. It’s tough, especially with Jermaine staying alive. A great match,” Anderson told Sky Sports.
“The last two matches, 4-0, 4-0. I hope they paid off the deficit. I’m going to my bed now.
“He missed a chance to win a set with a 9-darter, just as I missed many throws. I felt it; that’s not something I usually do there. But I managed to get through it.”
The day’s events began with the 20th seed Ryan Searle qualifying for the fourth round for the first time since 2021 with a 4-0 victory over German Martin Schindler.
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