Players Championship Finals darts: Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross on course to meet in final
Michael van Gerwen stormed into the last eight of the Players Championship Finals while Rob Cross was highly impressive once again.
The two-time defending champion, who is bidding to lift this trophy for the fourth time, hit five 180s and averaged over 102 in a commanding 10-5 victory over Darren Webster on Saturday night.
Van Gerwen had been even more impressive during his 6-2 triumph over Steve West in the second-round earlier in the day as he averaged over 108 and it will no doubt take an extra special performance to thwart him on Sunday.
The Dutchman has won the last three televised events this season at the European Championship, World Series of Darts Finals and the Grand Slam of Darts. while he's now won 25 competitive matches in a row dating back to his shock defeat to John Henderson at the World Grand Prix back in October.
His next opponent is Jan Dekker after the Dutchman overcame Huddersfield's Peter Jacques in the final match of the night.
But arguably the most likely player to thwart MVG is potential final opponent Rob Cross, who is top seed in Minehead having topped the Players Championship Order of Merit in 2017 thanks to winning four of the 22 tournaments in his debut year as a professional.
Voltage, a former electrician, continued to show why our darts tipster Chris Hammer backed him pre-tournament at 12/1 with high averages, a host of 180s and ruthless finishing during both his victories over Steve Lennon and Adrian Lewis.
Against rising Irish star Lennon, Cross hit six of his seven attempts at doubles in a 6-2 win which was supported by an average of 104 and five maximums, while he managed eight of them during a 10-6 triumph over Jackpot, who produced a mini comeback from 8-2 down to add respectability to the scoreline.
Both players gave themselves a chance of a nine-dart finish in the 16th and final leg of the match after they traded back-to-back 180s but neither could take out their respective checkout attempts from 141.
Next up for Cross is James Wade, who looks determined to silence his doubters following a 10-6 win over Ian White in which he threw nine 180s.
The Machine has largely been out-of-sorts this season and didn't look great when averaging less than 80 against Jamie Caven in the second round but this performance will give him renewed confidence.
Also in the top half of the draw, former Lakeside champion Steve Beaton reminded the Minehead crowd of his evergreen talents with a tense 10-9 quarter-final win over Jermaine Wattimena in which the Adonis landed a 158 checkout.
Beaton shocked Gary Anderson in the Players Championship 13 final earlier this year to land his first PDC title in four years, but going all the way here would represent his first televised major since his switch from the BDO way back in 2002.
He will next meet Jonny Clayton, who landed 10 of his 18 attempts at doubles to see off Mensur Suljovic's second-round conquer Stephen Bunting 10-8 having earlier beaten Gerwyn Price 6-2.
Dropping back into Van Gerwen's quarter of the draw, World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney remains a threat for the world number one after a comfortable 10-5 win over Chris Dobey.
The Northern Irishman, still smarting from his humiliating Grand Slam of Darts defeat to Phil Taylor, was below-par when beating Robbie Green 6-4 during the afternoon session but bounced back to the form which helped him lift his maiden TV crown in Dublin by averaging over 102 against Dobey.
His quarter-final opponent is Justin Pipe, who gave the fans on Stage Two a couple of helpings of his celebratory breakdancing after coming through back-to-back final-leg deciders.
First he came from 4-0 down and survived two match darts to sink Ron Meulenkamp before edging out William O'Connor, who also missed a dart to win.
Meanwhile Friday's giant-killers all crashed out during the afternoon's second round. Mickey Mansell, who stunned Gary Anderson, fell to Wattimena 6-3 while Peter Wright's conqueror Steve Hine was beaten 6-5 by Jacques.
Players Championship Finals: Saturday results & Sunday schedule
Saturday November 25
Afternoon Session (12.45pm)
Second Round (Best of 11 legs)
Main Stage
- Dave Chisnall 3-6 William O'Connor
- Mensur Suljovic 3-6 Stephen Bunting
- Daryl Gurney 6-3 Robbie Green
- Rob Cross 6-2 Steve Lennon
- Mickey Mansell 3-6 Jermaine Wattimena
- Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Steve West
- Steve Hine 5-6 Peter Jacques
Stage Two
- Darren Webster 6-3 Mervyn King
- Chris Dobey 6-5 Robert Thornton
- Jonny Clayton 6-2 Gerwyn Price
- Richard North 3-6 Adrian Lewis
- Ron Meulenkamp 5-6 Justin Pipe
- Jelle Klaasen 4-6 Steve Beaton
- Jamie Caven 4-6 James Wade
- Jan Dekker 6-5 Simon Whitlock
- Ian White 6-5 John Henderson
Evening Session (7pm)
Third Round (Best of 19 legs)
Main Stage
- Rob Cross 10-6 Adrian Lewis
- Jermaine Wattimena 9-10 Steve Beaton
- Michael Van Gerwen 10-5 Darren Webster
- Peter Jacques 5-10 Jan Dekker
Stage Two
- William O'Connor 9-10 Justin Pipe
- Stephen Bunting 8-10 Jonny Clayton
- James Wade 10-6 Ian White
- Daryl Gurney 10-5 Chris Dobey
Sunday November 26
Afternoon Session (12.45pm)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
- Rob Cross v James Wade
- Jonny Clayton v Steve Beaton
- Daryl Gurney v Justin Pipe
- Michael van Gerwen v Jan Dekker
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)
- Cross/Wade v Clayton/Beaton
- Gurney/Pipe v MVG/Dekker
Followed by
PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship Final
Josh Payne v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Final (Best of 21 legs)
Players Championship Final