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Steve Beaton defeated Rob Cross in the first round (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

World Grand Prix darts results: Rob Cross crashes out to Steve Beaton as Peter Wright marches on

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Mon October 01, 2018 · 6y ago

Steve Beaton caused the shock of the World Grand Prix so far as he sent Rob Cross crashing out in the first round for the second year in a row.

Twelve months after suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Bronzed Adonis on his debut here, history repeated itself in this unique double-start format major, as he produced one of his worst performances since becoming world champion.

Cross averaged just 78 and missed seven of his eight attempts at finishing doubles while a much more consistent Beaton managed 85 and a checkout percentage of 35.71%.

THE ADONIS IS THROUGH | He brushes past Rob Cross 2-0 to make it into the second round #UNIBET180 pic.twitter.com/s6K6nARIM6
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

The Hastings man's poor form carries on from the Champions League of Darts, where he exited in the group stages.

Meanwhile Peter Wright, fresh from beating Michael van Gerwen en route to reaching the final in Brighton last weekend, produced a sparkling display as he defeated Steve West without dropping a leg.

Snakebite averaged 98, hit six of his 10 finishing doubles and also managed a high checkout of 124.

The tinkerman is through to the Second Round, but will his darts be staying for his next game?

Hear from Peter Wright after his victory over Steve West... pic.twitter.com/k6pnTuX7sq
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

Adrian Lewis showed real signs that he could be on his way back to the top of the sport with a 2-1 victory over Premier League runner-up Michael Smith.

The former two-time world champion dropped well down the rankings after a poor 2017, which saw him left out of the Premier League, but he's getting his game together this season and tonight was another step in the right direction.

In a match which lived up to its billing as the tie of the round, featuring 13 180s (seven to Smith), Jackpot took the opening set 3-1 before Bully Boy snatched the decider in the second to force a third.

At 2-1 down, Smith missed three darts at a double to force a deciding leg and Lewis, who averaged 89, made him pay by pinning double 16 for the match.

ROUND ONE DRAWS TO A CLOSE | 7 x 180's sees Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis defeat 'The Bully Boy' Michael Smith 2-1. 🎯#UNIBET180 pic.twitter.com/DCM8oUGHft
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

The 2017 runner-up Simon Whitlock is out after James Wilson came from a set down to claim a 2-1 victory.

Both players averaged in the mid-20s but Lethal Biscuit's finishing was superior as he hit seven of his 12 attempts at doubles, including the two 14s he hit for the 88 checkout that sealed the win.

SIMON WHITLOCK OUT | The Lethal Biscuit has taken out last years finalist in the first round! #UNIBET180 pic.twitter.com/LFGNMhZeny
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

Mensur Suljovic was too good for the 2007 and 2010 champion James Wade as the Machine crashed out in the first round for the fourth year in a row.

The Austrian breezed through the first set without dropping a leg and although Wade showed some battling spirit to go 2-0 up in the next, he took three more on the spin to progress.

Suljovic averaged just 84 compared to Wade's 76 and neither hit a 180, but the Gentle's superior finish, which included a 112 checkout, proved decisive.

3 STRAIGHT LEGS FROM THE AUSTRIAN | Suljovic leads Wade 1-0 with a stunning 112 checkout#UNIBET180 pic.twitter.com/bags4EjXVb
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

Gerwyn Price came through a heated battle with Danny Noppert 2-0 although the scoreline makes it seem easier than the reality.

The Iceman eased through the opening set 3-1 as the debutant, who won his first PDC title on Saturday, struggled to hit his starting doubles.

In the second set Noppert won a comedy leg in 28 darts before a fine checkout of 108 put him 2-1 up but Price's stunning 112 under pressure in the next levelled the score and the Welshman went on to close it out.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO I CAN DO BETTER | The Iceman tops Nopperts 108 with a 112 checkout pic.twitter.com/t7HidwsH93
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 1, 2018

The night started with a 2-0 victory for the fast-throwing Jermaine Wattimena over Mervyn King, who only managed to hit one of his 10 attempts at finishing doubles.

The Machine Gun from Holland only managed an 82 average and hit just 27% of his doubles but King's poor performance allowed him to ease through.

In-form Ian White threw six 180s as he claimed a 2-0 victory over Josh Payne.

The veteran has been playing some of his best darts this season, winning three titles including a maiden trophy on the European Tour, and will be hoping to go beyond the quarter-finals of a major for the first time in his career this week.

More to follow...