Living up to the hype.
“One of the greatest games we’ve ever seen on the Alexander Palace stage,” said the Sky Sports commentators.
Few onlookers could argue with that.
Rob Cross and Michael Smith played out a cracking second round clash on Saturday in London, with the former eventually winning out after 7 ferocious sets.
The numbers were something else.
- 29 180s shared between them.
- Both players averaged above 103.
- 3 x 100 + checkouts.
- 7 sets.
On top off all that, the big screens gave in at Ally Pally to the crowd’s annoyance, and the game was paused for a while as a result.
Smith, who accounted for Ireland’s Steve Lennon in the first round, started the better of the pair, taking all three legs of the first set.
Cross was quick to respond, however, closing out the second set with a double 16, just after he had landed a massive 164 checkout to give himself the upper hand.
HUGE CHECKOUT FROM CROSS | Can that kick start him in this match?#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/21SExvxvG3
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2017
The pair continued to trade blows as the match wore on, going dart for dart, 180 for 180, in the most exciting, high quality encounter of the tournament so far.
Cross had a lot of pressure on his shoulders going into this one. He is in his first year as a professional darts player, having earned his tour card after a successful year on the Challenge Tour in 2017.
The former electrician has won four Players Championship titles and made it to two European finals in his debut year, and many have him tipped him to make his breakthrough to the world stage in this competition.
When he lost that first set, there were many on his back, claiming that he’s not up to the hype. He gave them the perfect response.
He came from 3-2 down to edge it 4-3, throwing 16 180s on his way.
WHAT A MATCH AND WHAT A FINISH | Rob Cross squeezes over the line, edging out The Bully Boy#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/OlkklTRxVe
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2017
He’ll take beating.
INTERVIEW | "I've got every chance" – Rob Cross is cool and collected as usual #WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/rwmMRa2xZe
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2017
In the meantime, he’s taking it all in his stride.
