GURNEY WINS A THRILLER! Daryl Gurney avenges his 2019 semi-final defeat to Rob Cross as he comes through the first tie-break of the tournament! 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1
Gurney survives Cross comeback to win epic tiebreak at the World Matchplay
PDCSaturday, 15 July 2023 at 22:20
Daryl Gurney is through to the second round of the 2023 World Matchplay thanks to a 12-10 victory over Rob Cross in the first match to need extra legs at this year's event.
In the second match of the opening session at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Daryl Gurney faced off against the 2019 World Matchplay champion, Rob Cross. 'Voltage' has never failed to win a first-round game at this tournament, but Gurney was keen to prove he wasn't a spent force in the world of darts and took the opening leg with a break of throw.
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Despite starting the second leg with a score of 15, Gurney recovered well and thanks to pinning double 12 first dart moved two ahead. After Cross missed tops for a 120 finish in the third, Gurney fired in a 110 checkout to punish. Another ton-plus checkout (111) in the next leg and 'Superchin' was four legs clear. Cross ensured it wouldn't be a whitewash first session, taking out 96 as the players headed off for the interval at 4-1.
An ice-cold 72 with Gurney sat on a double then saw Cross take the first leg after the break to get back into touch. Gurney, looking as good as has done in a long while went six darts into a perfect leg in the seventh. Although he couldn't strike perfection, he did move 5-2 ahead. After both players exchanged breaks of throw, it was Cross that took the final leg of the session, trailing 6-4 at the second break.
Taking his average up above the 100 mark, Cross took the first two legs of the session, getting back on level terms. Gurney stopped the rot in leg 15 though, breaking the throw and getting back in front at 7-6. Breaking back in style, Cross reeled in the big fish, a 170 checkout to level back up, celebrating with a big roar as well.
Cross then missed the bull to lead for the first time in the match and Gurney made him pay, taking out double 18 last dart in hand. Had that broken the spirit of the former world champion? Cross offered nothing in the 18th leg, as Gurney moved a leg away from the win. Keeping himself alive though, Cross took out a nerveless 56 to get back to 9-8 and then sent the match to a tiebreak courtesy of double 16.
Having not led in the entire match, Cross took to the front for the first time at 10-9 and move a leg away from a famous comeback win. It was Gurney's turn to scrap to stay in the match and he thanks to a two-dart 64 checkout he levelled up. With another ruthless finish, this time 96, Gurney was back to one away and this time he managed to close out the victory.
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UndartedWaters19-11-2024 - Luke Littler played incredible darts yesterday in the semi-final and the final, heralding a new era of darts (along with some of the other brilliant young players who are emerging). And yet, at Luke's celebration feast, de Decker's ghost is Banquo to Littler's Macbeth, mournfully looking on.UndartedWaters18-11-2024
- Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024