Cross staves off late rally from King to ease into Last 16 at PDC World Darts Championship

Rob Cross is through to the Last 16 at the 2022/23 PDC World Darts Championship with Chris Dobey awaiting for the 2018 champion after he staved off a late rally from Mervyn King.

Cross breezed into a 3-0 lead after spending most of the match not giving King a dart at the double but when throwing for the win, 'Voltage' lost a set but still eased through 4-1 with a 99 average, five 180's and 43% on the outer ring.

It was a dominant start for Cross who swept the opening set in consecutive legs with 50% on the doubles. He hit his first 180 on his throw and went one away from a two sets lead with a 110 checkout. He sealed that on double 16 with King not having a single dart at double.

An 81 checkout saw this streak continue for Cross as he broke to begin set three. A second 180 and double three saw Cross go one away from a 3-0 sets lead.

King finally got a dart for a double and hit 136 for 2-1 down. But after surviving a dart for 2-2, Cross made it 3-0 in sets and was throwing for the win.

A 96 checkout saw King break though and he held on double six for 2-0. Cross held on double three with King needing to hold or Cross would force a decider.

Cross missed the bull for an 81 checkout for 2-2 and King hit double 18 for the set. Cross missed 76 ti break on the bull but returned with King spurning 98 on double 19.

‘Voltage’ went 2-1 up and had a match dart from 94 before missing it only to return for double eight again to seal it.