Rob Cross emerged from the wreckage after admitting his career had been like a written-off car and warned: “I'm ready to go again.”
In the five years since he became a world champion on his debut at Alexandra Palace, the former electrician from Hastings has been through more damage than a demolition derby. From the heartbreak of losing his grandfather to Covid during lockdown, to wildly oscillating form and the death of a long-time darts pal on Christmas Day, life has not been a straight line for Cross since he sent Phil 'The Power' Taylor into retirement with a stunning 7-2 triumph here.
But watched from the posh seats by former Manchester United striker and Homes Under The Hammer presenter Dion Dublin, Cross took a wrecking-ball to Mervyn King in a manner reminiscent of his charge to glory in January 2018.
As fans cheered Dublin necking a pint, Cross polished off King 4-1 to book a fourth round clash with Chris Dobey in the Cazoo PDC World Championship.
He laughed: “I didn't know Dion was here... but then I blanked my own uncle and cousin the other day, right in front of me during the walk-on, so I wouldn't know.
“I probably wouldn't need to consult him if I wanted to knock through a wall to create a bigger room in my house – I'm more of a wreck-it Ralph with a sledgehammer, but it would be just my luck if the house falls down.”
King had few answers as Cross posted a 99.13 average, and he is happy to be considered an outside bet at Ally Pally, saying: “I like being under the radar, but if I was a car, I would have had a smash and been a write-off by now.
“By that I mean I know what it's like when nobody talks about you when you are judged by the highest levels of intensity. Everyone would have written me off six months to a year ago, but you do that at your own peril: I'm ready to go again.
“I never went away – maybe I switched off mentally for a time, and rightfully so because I had problems away from the oche and I was probably sour about it at the time, but in truth it probably did me the world of good.
“Having a year out of the spotlight, getting the fundamentals right and getting my game in order again was important because I got my confidence back – and without confidence, you can't perform.
“I probably take it for granted when I'm playing well and think this game's easy.
“But I lost a friend on Christmas Day – a great guy called Chris Willard, a darts pal who I had known since I was 14 years old. I was always close to him, he would often text me and encourage me, but he's gone at 58. Life's too short.”
*In the St Helens derby, former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting beat Dave Chisnall 4-2 and said: “That's probably the best I'eve ever played on that stage.”
