Rob Cross: I’ll have all the pressure on my shoulders tomorrow

The pressure was on both Rob Cross and Simon Whitlock as the met in the evening session of the Champions League of Darts.

Opening loses to Mensur Suljovic and Peter Wright had them looking up the Group B table, but it was the World Darts champion that would pull off a much-needed victory

After watching The Wizard claim three legs on the spin to lead 8-7, Cross upped the voltage and picked off a wonderful 131 finish in the penultimate leg of the match on the way to a 10-8 success.

The world champ was a relieved man after the game and wasn’t shy in telling Paddy Power News he’s demanding more of himself.

“It’s definitely nice to go to bed on a win because this afternoon I was very flat and it was the same tonight in fairness,” said Cross.

“That needs to change for tomorrow and I need to be a little bit more lively, but I have to admit to get that win when you are not playing well makes me grateful. I reckon the 131 I hit under pressure in the 17th leg had to go, if it doesn’t go I’m in all kinds of trouble and I’m probably not going to pull that game out.

“To hit that at the time I did was really nice, but tomorrow I need to be brighter and sort my scoring out.”

Peter Wright stands between Cross and the semi-finals tomorrow, so the home town favourite knows he has to be better than his showings today.

“If I score the way I can I’ll get chances, it’s just about hitting those doubles,” added the world title holder.

“I’m looking forward to playing Peter Wright tomorrow, he’s a great player who has been around for years. He’s going to go up there nice and relaxed, while I’ll have all the pressure on my shoulders tomorrow.

“However, at the same time that doesn’t matter, I’m here to win and to produce. That’s what I need to do, if it doesn’t go well tomorrow I can bury my head in the sand for a week.”