REIGNING William Hill World Darts Champion Rob Cross continued his impressive title defence with a straight sets victory over Cristo Reyes at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
Cross averaged over 100 for the second consecutive match as he moved into the last 16 with a convincing win on the final day of action before the Christmas break.
Cross took the first set 3-1 before a 126 checkout on the bull helped him double his lead by winning three straight legs in set two.
An 11-darter put Reyes 2-1 ahead in the third set but Cross edged it 3-2.
The Spanish ace went seven darts into a nine-darter attempt as he took the first leg in the fourth set, but a brilliant 147 finish levelled the set for Cross, who went on to seal victory with a clinical 76 checkout.
"I felt really good up there," said Cross, who had beaten Jeffrey De Zwaan on the opening night of the tournament.
"I think the ten days in between games helped me. I've felt relaxed and I was ready for this match and I think that showed in my performance.
"It's a good start and I know if I can keep this up I've got every chance of going all the way again."
Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis raced past Darius Labanauskas to set up a mouth-watering last 16 showdown with world number one Michael van Gerwen.
Lewis needed less than 35 minutes of playing time to complete a 4-0 demolition of Lithuania's Labanauskas, who defeated Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round.
"I wanted to win quickly because I haven't felt great since the last match," said Lewis, who remains in the hunt for a third World Championship title.
"I've been tucked up in bed for a couple days watching the darts and I'm going to rest up and get ready for the game against Michael.
"I think that Michael looked vulnerable in his last match and I'm really looking forward to playing him."
James Wade survived a scare as he completed a comeback victory against Keegan Brown.
Wade came from 3-1 down in sets to seal a 4-3 triumph against the player who had knocked him out of the tournament 12 months ago.
Brown won deciding legs in each of the first two sets and, after Wade had halved the deficit, stormed set four without losing a leg.
Three-time semi-finalist Wade bounced back from the brink, however, winning three successive sets to clinch a victory that he capped off with a 101 checkout.
"It feels amazing, I'm so happy and Santa has come a little bit early for me," said Wade, who will return after Christmas to take on Ryan Joyce.
"I was numb at the end of the match. I can't explain how I came back and won.
"I'm going to enjoy myself now. I'm very excited for Christmas. It's my first one with my son and as a family so I'm really excited and really happy."
Nathan Aspinall continued his dream debut run as he reached the last 16 with a comfortable victory over Australia's Kyle Anderson.
Aspinall, a winner on the ProTour in 2018 after winning back his Tour Card at Qualifying School in January, landed four finishes of over 100 on the way to a 4-1 success over the former Auckland Darts Masters winner.
"I'm over the moon," said 27-year-old Aspinall, who had beaten sixth seed Gerwyn Price in the second round.
"I think some of the top seeds might have underestimated us other players. We are all capable and anybody can beat anybody else on their day.
"I'm living the dream and this could be a life-changing tournament for me."
Brendan Dolan reached the last 16 for the first time after defeating Mervyn King 4-2, continuing a strong return to form for the 2010 World Grand Prix finalist.
Chris Dobey defeated Vincent Van der Voort 4-3 in a high-quality encounter, in which the two-time TV quarter-finalist hit nine maximums as he progressed to the last 16, where the 28-year-old will take on mentor Gary Anderson.
The action at Alexandra Palace resumes on December 27 with the remaining four matches from round three before the first two last 16 ties, featuring two-time champions Anderson, Van Gerwen and Lewis.
The tournament is being broadcast live on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel from December 13-January 1 and worldwide through the PDC's international broadcast partners.
2018/2019 William Hill World Darts Championship
Sunday December 23
Afternoon Session (1230)
Chris Dobey 4-3 Vincent Van der Voort (R3) - REPORT
Brendan Dolan 4-2 Mervyn King (R3) - REPORT
James Wade 4-3 Keegan Brown (R3) - REPORT
Evening Session (1900)
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Darius Labanauskas (R3) - REPORT
Nathan Aspinall 4-1 Kyle Anderson (R3) - REPORT
Rob Cross 4-0 Cristo Reyes (R3) - REPORT
Thursday December 27
Afternoon Session (1230)
Devon Petersen v Steve West (R3)
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Luke Humphries (R3)
Michael Smith v John Henderson (R3)
Evening Session (1900)
Toni Alcinas v Benito van de Pas (R3)
Fourth Round x2
Gary Anderson v Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Friday December 28
Afternoon Session (1230)
Fourth Round x3
Nathan Aspinall v Petersen/West
Alcinas/Van de Pas v Brendan Dolan
Ryan Joyce v James Wade
Evening Session (1900)
Fourth Round x3
Ryan Searle v M Smith/Henderson
Jamie Lewis v Dave Chisnall
Rob Cross v Van den Bergh/Humphries
Saturday December 29
Afternoon Session (1230)
Quarter-Finals x2
Aspinall/Petersen/West v Alcinas/Van de Pas/Dolan
J Lewis/Chisnall v G Anderson/Dobey
Evening Session (1900)
Quarter-Finals x2
Cross/Van den Bergh/Humphries v Searle/M Smith/Henderson
Van Gerwen/A Lewis v Joyce/Wade
Sunday December 30 (1900)
Semi-Finals
Tuesday January 1 (2000)
Final
Images: Lawrence Lustig/PDC