World Darts Championship: Rob Cross wins thriller against Jeffrey De Zwaan

By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2018, 08:55 BST
Updated 10th Jan 2019, 10:12 BST
Rob Cross celebrates during his second round victory over Jeffrey De Zwaan at the William Hill World Darts Championship. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDCRob Cross celebrates during his second round victory over Jeffrey De Zwaan at the William Hill World Darts Championship. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Rob Cross celebrates during his second round victory over Jeffrey De Zwaan at the William Hill World Darts Championship. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Rob Cross made a winning start to his defence of the William Hill World Darts Championship tonight (Thursday).

The St Leonards-based thrower produced an impressive display as he came from behind to beat Jeffrey de Zwaan by three sets to one in a second round match of superb quality.

World Matchplay semi-finalist De Zwaan posted the second highest ever losing average in the sport’s blue riband event with 106.09 and hit five 180s.

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But it wasn’t enough to get the better of Cross, who averaged 102.93, landed four 180s and was successful with 55% of his attempts at a double in a thrilling end to the tournament’s opening night.

See also: * World Darts Championship: Rob Cross ‘can’t wait to get out there’ in title defence* Cross sinks Taylor to win world title* Cross stuns van Gerwen in classic to reach world finalAfter a tough last two or three months on the Professional Darts Corporation ProTour, Cross showed the sort of form which took him to the title in memorable fashion 12 months ago at Alexandra Palace, London - and he needed to given how well his opponent played.

Cross didn’t play badly in the opening set, but De Zwaan took it 3-0 averaging 107 aided by legs of 11 and 13 darts.

World number two Cross stepped up a gear in the second set. He won the first leg in 14 darts and the third in 12 (helped by a 180 and 171), but De Zwaan took the second and fourth legs, the latter in 12 darts after back-to-back 180s.