#rob cross

Rob Cross's meteoric rise in the competitive darting arena is a story of resilience, skill, and an unyielding commitment to the sport. Born on September 21, 1990, in Hastings, England, Rob Cross's journey from an electrician to a world champion is a tale that inspires and surprises many within and beyond the darts community.

Cross's love for darts began at a young age, but it wasn't until 2016 that he decided to turn professional, changing the trajectory of his life forever. Within a short period, he transitioned from playing in local leagues and working a day job to competing amongst the elite on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit.

His breakout year was 2017 when he earned the nickname "Voltage" for his electrifying performances. Rob Cross made headlines around the globe when he won the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018, just a year after turning professional. This astounding victory against the legendary Phil Taylor in the final remains a highlight of his career and a defining moment in darts history.

Cross's playing style is meticulous and steady. He possesses precision and a calm demeanor that serves him well under the high-pressure conditions of top-tier tournaments. His technique is a combination of controlled rhythm and exacting aim, enabling him to execute clinical finishes and spectacular checkouts.

Following his world championship win, Cross continued to prove his worth by securing several other titles, which established him as a formidable force on the PDC tour. His consistency and unflappable nature make him a favorite among fans and a respected opponent among his peers.

Off the oche, Cross is known for his down-to-earth personality and his dedication to his family. His transformation from an everyday job to world champion embodies the dream that hard work and talent can lead one to greatness, even in the most unanticipated ways.

Luke Humphries’ hopes of replicating Rob Cross’ shock win at the Palace continue as he came from two sets down to overpower Voltage 4-2 and inflict a first ever defeat on Cross at the World Championship.

Humphries will now face Michael Smith for a place in the last four after the Bully Boy saw off Ryan Searle 4-1.

Averaging just under 100 and hitting 10 180s, Smith only dropped a set because of clumsy doubling in the deciding leg of the fourth set.

A man who won’t be joining Humphries and Smith in the quarters is James Wade after he was bettered 4-3 by Ryan Joyce.

Having come through several tough matches already, Wade finally fell short to Joyce who now has a testing tie against Michael van Gerwen.

Dave Chisnall had no such trouble as he beat Jamie Lewis 4-0 for his second consecutive straight sets win, earning a meeting with Gary Anderson.

Defending champion Rob Cross maintained his perfect record at the Palace with a straight-sets-victory over Spain’s Cristo Reyes.

Cross’ performance, which included a 147 finish, was on a par with his win against Jeffrey de Zwaan in round two, averaging over 100 on his way to the 4-0 triumph.

Also through was James Wade, although the nine-time TV title winner was made to sweat after falling behind to Kegan Brown 3-1. Digging in, Wade turned the tie around - checking out 101 to secure a 4-3 win.

Darius Labanauskas’ run in the competition came to an end as the Lithuanian, who beat Raymond van Barneveld in the last round, was no match for Adrian Lewis.

Lewis’ 4-0 victory means he will face fellow two-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in round four.

After knocking-out Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall added Kyle Anderson to his list of scalps by beating the Australian 4-1.

You can talk about the Matchplay and the Premier League, but this is what the game is all about, the World Darts Championship. 16 days of drama, intrigue and magical moments.

Jeffrey de Zwaan kicked-off the biggest ever tournament with a 3-0 victory over underdog Nitan Kumar, setting up a date with defending champion Rob Cross later that evening.

Next Cody Harris beat world youth finalist Martin Schindler 3-2 in a tight, but nervy encounter – rounding it off with a 104 check-out.

Attention then turned to Lisa Ashton, one of two female qualifiers. A four-time world champion in her own right, Ashton took the first set against Jan Dekker with two 100+ finishes, but the Dutchman came back to take the match 3-1.

Returning to the stage, de Zwaan made light work of Cross in the opening set, but Cross dug in as he tried to protect his 100 per cent record at the Palace.