BoyleSports World Grand Prix – Day 2 Review

Rob Cross tasted victory at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix for the first time with a 2-1 defeat of Mensur Suljovic on Monday night, as Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price were knocked out of the double-start event in Dublin.

World Matchplay champion Cross had failed to win a set in his previous two appearances at the Citywest Convention Centre, losing out 2-0 to Steve Beaton in 2017 and 2018.

However, the number two seed laid those demons to rest with a three-set victory over world number nine Suljovic in a tasty first round contest.

The first two sets were shared as Cross won the opener 3-1 before his Austrian rival levelled without reply, but the Hastings ace came from a leg down to win the decider 3-1 as he moved into round two.

“I never seem to relax here so I’m just grateful to win,” said Cross.

Mensur wasn’t at his best and maybe we showed each other too much respect, but I’ve practised hard and I was confident.

“The longer format in the next round is better because it’s cut-throat in the first round, and if I can relax the fans might see a bit more of me.”

Cross now meets Glen Durrant, who enjoyed a winning debut at the Citywest Convention Centre after overturning a one-set deficit to defeat Krzysztof Ratajski 2-1.

Third seed Gurney, the 2017 champion, was knocked out in straight sets as Danny Noppert secured his first victory in the double-start event.

Northern Irish ace Gurney took an early 2-1 lead, but paid the price for missing five set darts across the next two legs as Noppert capitalised, before the Dutchman took the second without reply.

Dave Chisnall edged out Price in a deciding leg as the 2013 finalist produced a fine comeback from a set down to move into the last 16.

Price produced finishes of 76 and 128 before defying an 11-darter from Chisnall to take the opening set in a decider, only for the Morecambe ace to race through the second without reply.

The third set was finely poised as the pair traded breaks of throw before the game progressed to a sudden-death leg, but Price missed nine starting doubles to allow Chisnall in, with a 99 checkout knocking out the sixth seed.

“I’m very happy with that,” said Chisnall, who now meets Stephen Bunting. “It was tough for both of us and I had to battle, but I got the job done in the end.

“At two-all in the last set, it could have been anyone’s game and luckily I got off to a good start and punished him. I was tight on my doubles today and that won me the game.”