Cross, Clayton and Cullen among seeded stars to complete Third Round line-up at the World Darts Championship
Former champion Rob Cross made a strong start to his 2022/23 World Darts Championship campaign on Friday, while Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen and Danny Noppert were also among the Second Round winners.
The final day of the tournament prior to the Christmas break saw all eight seeded players safely progress to the Third Round at Alexandra Palace.
Cross, who famously defeated Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor to lift The Sid Waddell Trophy on debut in 2018, reaffirmed his credentials with an impressive 3-1 victory over emerging star Scott Williams.
Cross overcame his occasional practice partner in a high-quality affair, averaging 99 and reeling off three straight sets to come through a tie which saw each set go to a last-leg decider.
Cross, runner-up in November’s Players Championship Finals, maintained his superb form to book a post-Christmas date with last year’s quarter-finalist Mervyn King.
“This place will always be special to me – this is the holy grail,” reflected Cross, who also landed seven 180s and converted 58% of his attempts at double to cap off a classy display.
“I think I dealt with the big moments well, but I probably put that down to experience. I feel good. I feel like I’m getting better and I’m enjoying it again.”
Clayton began his bid for World Championship glory with a dominant straight sets win over Dutch debutant Danny van Trijp, racing to a straight sets success in just over 20 minutes on the oche.
The Welshman produced one of the performances of the tournament to dispatch the Challenge Tour star, averaging 99.6, landing five 180s and converting 50% of his attempts at double.
Following a subdued start, Clayton burst into life with a brace of 11-darters and a 78 combination in set two, before legs of 16, 14 and 16 darts saw the former Premier League winner ease through to round three.
“I needed to get out of the blocks and I think I did that,” said Clayton, who dropped just three legs en route to victory.
“I am delighted with that. My form hasn’t been brilliant and I was a bit nervous tonight because I don’t know much about Danny.
“I want to be spoken about as one of the elite, but I need to prove what I can do, so hopefully I’m back on track.”
Cullen also booked his place in round three with a convincing 3-1 win over Ricky Evans, defying a late rally from the quick-fire Kettering ace to move through to a meeting against World Cup winner Damon Heta.
Cullen drew first blood with clinical 109 and 62 finishes in consecutive legs, before doubling his lead with a crucial 105 checkout in a second-set decider.
Evans raised his game in set three to reduce the deficit, and he threatened to restore parity at two apiece after crashing in four 180s in as many legs, only for Cullen to seal the deal in style.
The Masters winner landed back-to-back maximums in a bid to round off the pre-Christmas action with a spectacular nine-darter, but after falling short with the eighth dart, he had to settle for an 11-dart clincher.
“I think I played relatively well, but it was just about getting the win,” said Cullen, Premier League runner-up in June.
“I’m all about winning and I’m here to win it. Damon will be a tough, tough game. He’s playing really well at the minute, but I’ll definitely be ready for it.”
UK Open champion Danny Noppert produced a stunning late surge to seal a 3-1 victory over David Cameron – who fell short in his bid to complete another famous comeback in the capital.
Noppert breezed to the opening set with a ton-plus average and continued the procession to double his lead, but Cameron – who recovered from 2-0 down to stun Ritchie Edhouse in round one – launched another valiant fightback.
The Canadian veteran followed up a 13-darter with a clinical 100 kill to halve the deficit, but Noppert avoided any further drama, averaging 109 in set four to seal his progression in style.
“I’m really happy with the win today,” said Noppert. “I am not one of the favourites and there are a lot of top players here, but I’ve had a good year and I’m really happy with my performances.
“When you win the UK Open, why can’t I win here? Everything is possible. I believe in myself and I know what I can do.”
European Champion Ross Smith registered his first ton-plus average on the Ally Pally stage in a superb 3-1 win over Darius Labanauskas.
Smith fired in ten 180s and averaged 101 to set up a third round clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode – who came back from 3-0 down to defeat the Englishman at the same stage of last year’s event.
Martin Schindler secured his maiden victory in the World Championship with a battling 3-1 success over debutant Martin Lukeman, setting up a tussle against two-time runner-up Michael Smith.
Schindler, making his fourth World Championship appearance, produced the first 170 checkout of this year’s event, while also landing six 180s to complete a landmark triumph.
Chris Dobey will face two-time World Champion Gary Anderson in a mouth-watering third round tie after securing a straight sets win over Martijn Kleermaker.
Dobey, who has reached the last 16 in three of his last four World Championship campaigns, averaged just a point higher than his Dutch opponent, but finishes of 86, 100 and 114 proved crucial for the Bedlington thrower.
Meanwhile, Dolan – competing in his 15th World Championship – secured his passage through to the post-Christmas action with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Dutch debutant Jimmy Hendriks in Friday’s opener.
The World Championship resumes on Tuesday December 27 as the Third Round gets under way from 12.30pm GMT.
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World Darts Championship 2022/23 Day Nine Results
Friday December 23
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Brendan Dolan 3-1 Jimmy Hendriks
Chris Dobey 3-0 Martijn Kleermaker
Ross Smith 3-1 Darius Labanauskas
Rob Cross 3-1 Scott Williams
Evening Session
Martin Schindler 3-1 Martin Lukeman
Danny Noppert 3-1 David Cameron
Jonny Clayton 3-0 Danny van Trijp
Joe Cullen 3-1 Ricky Evans
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