4 hours ago
3
Rob Cross eased into the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship with a 3-1 win over the veteran Ian White.
It has been a disappointing year for the 2018 champion, with a host of early exits in the major tournaments. But he still has dreams of adding a second world title and guaranteed a return to Alexandra Palace after Christmas with an accomplished display.
Cross’s comfortable afternoon a was in contrast to events earlier in north London, with Joe Cullen accusing his opponent Mensur Suljovic of “cheating” after defeat in their second-round match. The No 32 seed was unhappy with his opponent’s slow play during the final set of his 3-1 defeat.
“If that’s darts , I don’t want no part of it!” wrote Cullen on X after the match. “Always liked Mensur away from the board but that was plain for all to see! I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”
In his post-match press conference Suljovic responded: “I don’t know what his problem is.”
Krzystof Ratajski will come back after Christmas after a 3-1 win over Ryan Joyce, while Luke Woodhouse made light work of Max Hopp with a 3-0 success.
In the Sunday evening session the defending champion and world No 1 Luke Littler faces David Davies, while the 2021 winner Gerwyn Price takes on Wesley Plaisier and Damon Heta meets Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont, who knocked out Raymond van Barneveld in the first round.
English (US)