Delightful De Sousa downs Cross in superb display to reach World Matchplay Quarter-Final

Jose de Sousa lived up to his moniker of the Special One in a superb display to down Rob Cross in a high quality Quarter-Final at the 2022 World Matchplay.

De Sousa sealed it 11-8 to reach this stage for the first time in Blackpool and was in tears post match after sealing it and defeating the 2019 champion with a 103.2 average and nine 180's.

A 180 and double 20 followed by a 60 checkout saw De Sousa break and go into an early 2-0 lead. He missed 104 for a 3-0 lead with a timely 180 seeing Cross have a shot at 50 which he pinned to break back and make it 2-1.

Another maximum from De Sousa saw him get a shot at 80 to go break back again and he got another chance after originally missing with Cross unable to seal a 78 checkout and it was 3-1 to the Special One.

He consolidated with a 74 checkout on double 16 to sit 4-1 up at the first interval. On return, Cross missed 147 on double 18 but De Sousa fell short on 130 allowing ‘Voltage’ to hold on his favoured double to make it 4-2.

But De Sousa’s brilliance continued and he stretched his lead to 5-2. He followed it up with another strong leg but missed the chance to break and Cross hit double eight for 5-3.

De Sousa continued to edge ahead pinning double eight for 6-3. Cross on his throw went six darts into a nine-dart finish but finished it off with a 10 darter to see it set at 6-4 at the interval.

Cross on return though saw his throw broken with three missed at double 16 and De Sousa replied with a 74 checkout for a 7-4 lead. A superb 120 checkout saw the Portuguese ace go 8-4 ahead with a double break and was throwing to go two from the finishing line.

It was six perfect darts for De Sousa but despite not getting a shot at the nine-darter, he pinned an 84 checkout to go 9-4 up.

De Sousa made a mistake on the 108 checkout though and was punished with a 106 checkout by Cross but it was only a hold at 9-5 down.

De Sousa began to falter with Cross pinning double 16 for a 9-6 deficit and a break of throw. Two 180’s in a leg followed by double 10 saw De Sousa stop a mini rot to get to 10-6 up and one away.

But Cross broke again to make it 10-7 and followed it up with a 106 checkout as De Sousa had to serve it out again at 10-8. Back-to-back 180’s to leave 141 saw De Sousa superbly go for the finish.

He missed two match darts but Cross was way back allowing him another chance albeit with the pressure of a 177. But after splitting, De Sousa pinned double four for the win.