"I didn't expect him to hit it I'm not going to lie" - Rob Cross explains 170 mind games in World Matchplay thriller with Gian Van Veen

Rob Cross has qualified for the second round of the World Matchplay. 'Voltage' defeated Gian van Veen 13-12 in a thrillingbfirst round match on Sunday evening at the Winter Gardens.

Cross survived as many as six missed match darts from Van Veen before finally settling the score in his favour in a sudden death final leg. “Credit to Gian - he can hold his head up high, he was fantastic tonight,” Cross reflected post-match, having averaged a touch over the 100 mark in a topsy-turvy encounter that saw momentum swing one way and then the other.

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“I believe I can win this again. I’ve had a nice three weeks off and I feel refreshed. I was a bit rusty up there, but after coming through that, I feel great," Cross continues. “I’m enjoying my darts, and when it’s all going for me, I don’t think there’s another player in this tournament that can beat me.”

There were two notable moments during the match. A first moment occurred when Cross turned down a chance to throw out 124 via the bull and instead opted for a big 18bto leave 32 despite the fact Van Veen was on 170. The Dutchman then threw out that 170, much to Cross' dismay and the glee of the commentary team on Sky Sports.

"I like to play mind games and I didn't expect him to hit it I'm not going to lie," Cross admitted. A second moment played out on Van Veen's matchdarts, when Cross had already put his darts away and was ready to shake hands. "That was definitely no disrespect toward Gian," he says. "I just didn't think he would miss anymore."

Rob Cross in action at the World Matchplay

Cross will take on the winner of the duel between Damon Heta and Ryan Searle in the next round. "I only focus on what's right for me and with the way I've been playing and the way I'm going to play, I can be there at the end," Cross says. "I want to play my best. I'm enjoying my darts, I'm enjoying everything that's around it, family life is good and I've never had life as good probably."

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