Cross hits 101 average in clinical whitewash win over Gates, Anderson starts title defence with victory over Milk

Cross's tie beforehand on paper looked like a potential shock with Gates being one of the leading lights of American darts but 'Voltage' was clinical claiming a whitewash win and restricting 'Soldier' to a solitary dart at double.

Anderson started his title defence against 'The Milkman' who impressed throughout and proved a stern test for 'The Flying Scotsman'. It wasn't plain sailing for him likely due to not playing in a while on the stage but he proved to have the bottle in the end against the South Dakota ace.

A tantalising prospect awaits for Anderson next as he takes on Gerwyn Price in a repeat of their controversial Grand Slam of Darts final, will there be a bit of needle again, this time on the Mandalay Bay stage?

In Cross's tie, he started well easing into a 2-0 lead over the former Minor League baseball player. He broke the throw of Gates again and went 4-0 up averaging 101 once again with 57 percent on the doubles giving Gates no chance at doubles despite him playing well at times.

Cross went one away from the victory but struggled on doubles to close out the game giving Gates an opportunity which he spurned and 'Voltage' came back to set the benchmark so far this evening in an impressive victory over the Houston ace.

Milk had a dream start against Anderson holding his throw with ease and then breaking with 'The Flying Scotsman' showing rust in the early going.

Anderson finally got on the board breaking back and kicked off the next leg with a 180 to show he was still very much there. He consolidated his return to the foray with a brilliant 47 checkout for an 11 dart leg to go to parity with 'The Milkman'.

Another break occurred with a 87 checkout as he continued to play better and better. Milk had other ideas though and stopped the rot with a break back to make it 3-3.

A 12 darter from Anderson with a 92 checkout made sure he claimed a break back himself. Another clutch checkout in the form of a double three saw him go one away.

Milk cut the gap to one leg but Anderson started the next leg on throw with a 180 and hit another to send him on his way to a first victory in his title defence.

Click here for more information on the US Darts Masters, the first World Series event of the season.

Thursday July 4 (20:00 BST)
First round
Gerwyn Price (94.72) 6-4 (83.06) Gary Mawson
Nathan Aspinall (98.29) 6-2 (82.01) Shawn Brenneman
Daryl Gurney (97.1) 6-1 (92.59) Daniel Baggish
Michael Smith (92.9) 6-4 (86.76) Jim Long
Rob Cross (101.33) 6-0 (88.93) Leonard Gates
Gary Anderson (96.81) 6-4 (86.33) Elliot Milk
Peter Wright v Jeff Smith
Michael van Gerwen v Darin Young

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