World Series, Grand Slam and Players Championship debuts to come for former electrician causing sparks to fly in the PDC
Thursday 2 November 2017 15:35, UK
Rob Cross is relishing the business end of his debut PDC season after reaching the first major televised final of his career last weekend.
Cross has enjoyed a superb introduction to professional darts in 2017 and it shows no signs of letting up as the tungsten swings into its busiest time of year.
Having earned his PDC Tour card via a successful year on the Challenger Tour his game has gone from strength to strength, winning four Players Championship titles and reaching two European finals before the weekend's showpiece with Michael van Gerwen.
A former electrician, hence the nickname Voltage, Cross beat Dave Chisnall, No 3 seed Michael Smith and Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney on his way to the final and matched Van Gerwen for most of the contest before eventually losing out in a thriller.
"At the weekend, my level dropped for one little session," Cross told Sky Sports.
"I didn't come out firing like I wanted to in the third session, maybe that was down to experience but I will learn from it and go forward.
"I am trying to taking one game at a time and to keep improving and putting myself in situations where it falls my way.
"Before the European Championship I tried some new things, I took my time a little bit more like I would in floor tournaments and that worked for me."
It was the third time Cross had lost to Van Gerwen in a final this season, evidence of his progress but also the benchmark for those making their mark in the sport.
"I enjoy playing Michael - he is fantastic and you know what you are getting. You know he will come out and hit you hard so the challenge is there, you know you need to be decent to play him.
"The amount that we play against the best in the world means you are getting more chances if you can put yourself in the right situation.
"I have no fear of who I play, I know if I play my game I will give myself a chance to win."
To cap a fine year, Cross' run in Belgium ensured he will be at the Grand Slam of Darts, live on Sky Sports later this month and with a World Series debut this weekend, the Players Championship and the World Championship still to come the 27-year-old from Hastings is keen to bring consistency to his performances in front of the cameras.
"The Europeans helped me produce last weekend but now with the bigger TV events coming up, it is all going to be a challenge for me as I have never experienced them before.
"I've won four Pro Tours and had some great averages on the floor but the TV events are a different challenge.
"The transition to the TV - you notice different things, it's not the same. Now I have done it a few times it becomes more familiar.
"I know I am playing well and it's about trying to put a statement out that I am here to stay and I want to do the best that I can."
After this weekend's trip to Glasgow for the World Series finals it will be onto the Grand Slam of Darts, and a chance to test himself against the best of the BDO as well as the PDC.
"I've spoken to people who say the venue [Wolverhampton Civic Hall] is quite compact and the crowd are close to you but with the BDO joining in it has that unique feel to it.
"I remember watching it on TV last year, it just seems different and I am really looking forward to it."
Look out for more from our Rob Cross exclusive next week as we build up to the Grand Slam of Darts - we'll hear from Rob, current BDO champion Glen Durrant and more as well as our Sky Sports experts who will help us preview the tournament.
The Grand Slam of Darts gets underway live on Sky Sports on Saturday November 11 with a double session as the best of the PDC compete against the best of the BDO
Keep up to date with the news as the tungsten enters its busiest time of year with the PDC World Championships just around the corner get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts.
