FOMRER CHAMPION ROB Cross is through to the third round of the PDC World Championship after seeing off debutant Scott Williams at Alexandra Palace.
A fine contest that went to a last-leg decider in each set saw Cross prevail 3-1 with an average of 99 and having recorded seven 180s.
The 32-year-old Englishman, winner of this competition five years ago and a runner-up at last month’s Players Championship Finals, said in quotes on pdc.tv: “This place will always be special to me. This is the holy grail.
CROSS WINS A CLASSIC!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2022
What a game that was as he beats Scott Williams 3-1, with every set going the distance.
99.32 average and 58% on the doubles for Cross! #WCDarts | R2
📺 https://t.co/37DNuuK5Me pic.twitter.com/dDNYTrmqkt
“I think I dealt with the big moments a little bit more, but I probably put that down to experience. I feel good. I feel like I’m getting better and I’m enjoying it again.”
Cross will play Mervyn King in round three.
Friday’s action also included Ireland’s Brendan Dolan, who defeated Jimmy Hendriks 3-1.
The Fermanagh man will next face Wales’ Jonny Clayton, who advanced with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dutchman Danny van Trijp.
Van Trijp’s compatriot Danny Noppert was a 3-1 victor over David Cameron, and there were also 3-1 wins for Joe Cullen against Ricky Evans and Ross Smith against Darius Labanauskas.
Chris Dobey won 3-0 against Martijn Kleermaker to set up a clash with two-time champion Gary Anderson, and Martin Schindler will face last year’s runner-up Michael Smith after beating Martin Lukeman 3-1.
