Former champion Rob Cross is safely through to the second round of the PDC World Championship after a comfortable 3-0 win over Norway’s Cor Dekker.
The Englishman, who triumphed on his debut at Alexander Palace in 2018, has endured a difficult year and dropped to 17th in the world rankings but was in control throughout his first round match.
After averaging just shy of 100 in racing to victory in the first set, Cross dropped off in the second but still came through to win from two legs to one down.
Dekker struggled on the doubles on his debut at the tournament but Cross was clinical on the outer ring, particularly in the opening two sets, and finished the match in style, reeling in the ‘big fish’ – a 170 checkout.
He ended with an average of 90.84 and a checkout success rate of 47.4%.
“I was a bit edgy today but to finish with that one, I’ve been doing that all week,” Cross told Sky Sports.
“I’m really proud of myself and there’s a lot more in the tank yet. I think I’ll be better in the next game – I feel like I’m back. If I play my best stuff, I’ve definitely got a chance.”
Cross will play Ian White, who held off a fightback from Mervyn King to win 3-2, in the next round.
Earlier in the session, 20th seed Ryan Searle raced to a 3-0 win over Chris Landman of the Netherlands, the Englishman hitting five 180s in the process.
Meanwhile, the first match of day two saw Dutchman Niels Zonneveld beat New Zealand’s Haupai Puha 3-0.
