ROB CROSS got the defence of his William Hill World Championship title off to a flying start with a 3-1 victory over Jeffrey de Zwaan.
De Zwaan ended the match with a 106.09 average, the second highest losing average in World Championship history, and it was the Dutchman who blew Cross away 3-0 to take the opening set.
With De Zwaan on the brink of going 2-0 up in sets, Cross produced back-to-back 140s followed by a 96 checkout to make it all square.
Cross found the bullseye for a 121 finish to take the third set, and managed to hold off De Zwaan's best efforts to book his place in round three.
“You can’t buy that grit.”
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 13, 2018
Rob Cross believes his mental determination saw him through a tough contest with Jeffrey de Zwaan... pic.twitter.com/4f8Zf0xibK
Match Stats
Averages:
Cross - 102.93
De Zwaan - 106.09
180s:
Cross - 4
De Zwaan - 5
Highest Finish:
Cross - 121
De Zwaan - 116
100+ Checkouts:
Cross - 1
De Zwaan - 1
Finishing:
Cross - 9/16
De Zwaan - 7/15
