Rob Cross (20/1 World Darts Championship outright) says he has the “passion” to go and win a second PDC World Championship title after overcoming Raymond van Barneveld in the most hotly-anticipated match of the 2022 World Darts Championship yet.
Barney’s victory against Lourence Ilagan in the first round set up a blockbuster tie between two former champions of the world.
Much has been made of the Dutchman’s decision to return to darts after he retired with a whimper two years ago.
However, he displayed signs of his brilliant best by taking the first set, including a big fish 170 checkout.
Cross rallied and soon showed some of the class which propelled him to world champion status when he defeated Phil Taylor in the 2018 tournament.
He pinned double four to take the third set and by then Van Barneveld’s form had deserted him.
A tops checkout saw Cross get over the line to set up a third-round tie with Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney (Match Betting – Cross 4/7, Gurney 7/5).
The former electrician started the year in poor form and was in danger of tumbling down the rankings due to defending a lot of prize money.
However, in October, he won the European Championship for a second time beating Michael van Gerwen and is coming into form at the right time.
Speaking after the game, Cross outlined his ambition to win a second world title and is hoping to produce his best form.
“I’ve got a lot fight, a lot of passion and I go up there now, I’m enjoying the game but I want to win again,” said the 31-year-old.
“I’m not sort of going in there and thinking to myself, am I just making the numbers up because I want to try and play well, I want to try and get my A game out again and I want to win and that’s massive for me.”