Rob Cross has progressed through to the last 16 of the World Championship with a 4-2 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.
The 2018 world champion was far from his best in his opening match, but he has returned after Christmas to average 101.32 in seeing off the Swedish representative.
Although Cross controlled large parts of the contest, De Graaf hit back from 2-0 and 3-1 adrift to remain competitive in what turned out to be an absorbing encounter.
However, Cross - the eighth seed - produced a checkout ratio of around the 50% throughout, and it made the difference as he booked his place in the fourth round.
CROSS CLINCHES VICTORY! ⚡
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2023
Superb from Rob Cross, who produces a ton-topping average to overcome a tenacious Jeffrey de Graaf and book his place in round four!
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | R3 pic.twitter.com/VBeLXS2StA
Dave Chisnall has joined his English compatriot with a 4-1 triumph over last year's semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, despite averaging marginally less than his opponent.
Clemens missing 22 darts at a double ultimately made the difference, Chisnall producing a 50% ratio by comparison, and the 11th seed was able to see out the match once he had established a 3-0 lead.
In the opening tie of Wednesday afternoon, Scott Williams rallied from 2-0 down to see off Martin Schindler by a 4-3 scoreline in a showdown that featured 23 180s.
Schindler had appeared in cruise control at one stage, but a 152 checkout in the third set was the catalyst in a relentless charge from Williams, who was bidding to reach the last 16 for the first time.
The final set was a thriller which remarkably saw three 90 checkouts recorded in a row, but once the game went into a tie-break, Williams held his nerve to secure a win that provisionally catapults him up to 39th in the PDC Order of Merit.
