"He's number one for a reason" - Rob Cross full of praise for Luke Humphries after Baltic Sea Darts Open final win

Rob Cross had to defy a nine-darter from Luke Humphries to take the overall victory at the Baltic Sea Darts Open. After a fierce final, he 'Voltage' was an 8-6 winner over the reigning world champion.

Cross had claimed the title only once in his nine previous European Tour finals, but the 33-year-old Englishman could draw hope from the fact that in his previous Euro Tour title he also won over Humphries in the final. A nine-darter gave Humphries a 5-3 lead, but Cross came back to 5-5. After it was 6-6, Cross decided the match in phenomenal fashion with two consecutive 12-darters.

''To hit back-to-back 12-darters to win was great and I'm happy that I've won something - it's been a while!'' Cross laughed afterwards. ''It's an amazing experience to come up and win something again. I've got a new regime at the minute and it's working. I feel much better, much fresher in the longer days and long may it continue."

It was the fourth time Humphries and Cross had faced each other in a Euro Tour final. Humphries won the first two, but 'Voltage' has now evened the score.

"Me and Luke always have good games and I really enjoyed it," Cross added. "He's number one for a reason - he's the best player on the planet. I like playing Luke and he likes playing me - he's probably got the upper hand of late. He's got the world at his feet and we have a great friendship."