Ricky Evans is through to his first major semi final after he overcame Rob Cross in the quarter finals of the UK Open. It was a scrappy occasion with both players averaging less than 90 and missing 53 darts at double between them, but 'Rapid' won't care as he continued his dream run in Minehead.
Both players traded breaks and holds in the first four legs, with Evans taking Cross' throw with a 24-darter in the second. Cross had dropped just 11 legs in his campaign so far, but found himself 3-2 down going into the first break.
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Evans and Cross were playing on the main stage for the first time this weekend, and both struggled to adapt. We were expecting them to improve in the second session, but it was a case of more missed doubles, with Cross missing six to break and go 4-3 up. 'Voltage' still battled his way to a level game after 10 legs, however, with a 12-darter finished with a 92 checkout.
'Rapid' then surged ahead by winning the next three legs in 42 darts with checkouts of 109 and 84, but missed two darts at D16 to go within one of victory. Remarkably he was allowed back to the board, after Cross missed seven darts to make it 8-8, and pinned double eight. It felt fitting that there would be drama at the end, as Evans missed six match darts before finally winning it on double one.