World darts: Cross in agonising early exit

The world number five from St Leonards lost by three sets to two against Dirk van Duijvenbode in a second-round encounter which went all the way to a deciding leg on Tuesday night.

Cross threw first in that sudden death leg and left himself on double six after just 12 darts, but van Duijvenbode produced a nerveless 99 checkout, which included his seventh treble 19 of the leg, to clinch a dramatic win at Alexandra Palace, London.

With Van Duijvenbode having reached the World Grand Prix final during a very successful 2020, it looked beforehand as though Cross couldn't have been handed a tougher assignment in his opening match of the tournament (given that he couldn't have faced a seeded player at that stage).

And tough it proved as the Dutchman performed well above his ranking of 43, hitting seven 180s and averaging 95.51. Cross also played pretty well, landing four maximums and averaging 92.39 in a match where he was never behind until the very end.

The champion three years ago, Cross had said in a pre-match Twitter post that he'd been in great form in practice. And he backed that up by clinching the opening set - in which both players averaged 104 - by three legs to one, wrapping it up with a 90 finish.

Cross lost his way as Van Duijvenbode took the second set 3-0, but responded to claim the third set 3-2, aided by his opponent missing three darts at a double to break throw in the first and third legs.

Van Duijvenbode rattled through the fourth set in straight legs, winning the opener in 11 darts and second in 14, to level at 2-2.

The final set was nip and tuck throughout. The first three legs all went with throw, Cross finishing 80 in the last of them to go within one of victory.

Cross kicked off the next leg with a 180, yet Van Duijvenbode replied in kind and went on to pocket the leg after hitting back-to-back double eights.

It all therefore boiled down to that sudden death leg and although Cross came up with some terrific darts, Van Duijvebode's excellent cover shots and clinical finish put him through to round three.

Despite now being without a victory at the World Championship since 2018, Cross could at least take some comfort from a pretty encouraging display after a tough year on the PDC circuit. If the 2019 World Matchplay and European Championship winner can continue the form he showed for much of the match - and just add a touch more consistency - better times lie ahead in 2021.

But in the meantime the 30-year-old's ranking could drop slightly and he faces an anxious wait to see if he's included in the 2021 Unibet Premier League line-up.

Cross tweeted after his defeat: "Well played to Dirk to show such bottle & deserved win. I’m gutted but I’ll be back on form. I’ll be pleased to see the back of 2020 which has been heartbreaking. Now for Xmas with the family which is most important thing. Thanks to fans and sponsors @TargetDarts & @ScottRBSLtd."