"I'm sure he's enjoying his holiday and I hope he is!" - Rob Cross relieved Gerwyn Price is absent from Poland Darts Masters after recent World Series rivalry
PDCSaturday, 15 June 2024 at 12:00
Rob Cross remains on course for a third consecutive final on the World Series of Darts circuit. 'Voltage' defeated home player Sebastian Bialecki 6-1 in the opening round of the Poland Darts Masters.
Cross had no trouble putting Sebastian Bialecki on the rack. He broke his Polish opponent immediately in the first leg with a 156 finish and then ran out to a 4-0 lead with a 75 check-out. Cross then missed one chance at 5-0, before Bialecki scored with a 16-darter to make it 4-1. The sixth leg was the least of the match. First there were three misses on the doubles by Cross and then two by Bialecki. It was 'Voltage' who managed to make it 5-1 with a 20-darter. Then the former world champion closed the match with a 100 finish.
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Despite the relatively easy win, Cross still had plenty of praise for his young opponent afterwards. "I believe it flattered me a bit," he assessed in his post-match interview. "All of a sudden I was 4-0 up and cruising. I'm not the biggest or best practiser in the world so I was a bit under par. But to get the finishes and get the win, I'm very happy with that."
Cross has had some particularly successful weeks of late. He won the US Darts Masters and reached the final at the Nordic Darts Masters last weekend. Both finals he played against Gerwyn Price. "I'm sure he's enjoying his holiday and I hope he is!" Cross laughs. "Gezzy deserved that win last week. He was the best player in the tournament."
Cross takes on fellow Englishman Stephen Bunting later this Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the Poland Darts Masters. Booking his spot in the last eight, Bunting was far too strong for Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski in the opening round, winning 6-1.
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- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024