Gerwyn Price produced a mid-match surge to deny Rob Cross a shot at a second World Matchplay title, beating his fellow former World Champion 11-5 in the second round at Winter Gardens on Wednesday night.
It was tight early on. Four consecutive breaks of throw in the opening mini-session had the pair locked together at 2-2, with neither man able to find any real stability. It was Cross who eventually did, heading into the first break in the lead and looking, at times, in control and irresistible.
But from there, Price found the surge that has long been associated with him at his best. Taking nine of the next eleven legs, with the damage done predominantly in the second mini-session, Price wrestled the match away from Cross and closed it out 11-5 to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Price was in a reflective mood afterwards about what had turned the match in his favour, pointing not just to the darts but to the return of the fire that has defined his career at its peak.
“I think I showed a bit of the old me,” he said, referencing his renewed on-the-oche intensity. “I need that energy, I need that buzz. You’re going to see the old me.”
It continues a solid week for the Welshman, who had needed extra legs to see off Martin Schindler in round one, escaping 11-9 after the German led for long spells of the match.
Wednesday’s win was a more assured performance, and sets up what should be a fascinating quarter-final against Ross Smith, who advanced with a walkover after Cameron Menzies was forced to retire ill in their second-round tie.
Images: PDC / Taylor Lanning
