"He just looked so calm and composed"
Saturday 17 March 2018 07:57, UK
Rob Cross "looked a million dollars" as the world champion breezed past Mensur Suljovic after the latest round of matches of Premier League darts, says Wayne Mardle.
Cross averaged a superb 106.49, in a 7-2 win over Suljovic for his fourth win in a row to move into third place on Thursday night.
Cross finished double 18 to break immediately and took out 68 to double his lead, and after Suljovic hit back in the third with a 14-darter, the Hastings thrower pulled clear.
A 104 finish restored Cross' advantage, an 11-darter moved him three legs ahead and a pair of top checkouts secured at least a draw, with double nine giving Suljovic brief hope before double 12 sealed the win.
Mardle was impressed with Cross' calmness on the oche and feels he has rediscovered the form which he showed during the world championship at Alexandra Palace.
He lost the first two weeks of the Premier League and that's the biggest kind of drought that he's ever had, but he's come back really well.
"He just looked so calm and composed," Mardle told Sky Sports' host Dave Clark. "I was talking to him backstage and he just said he felt good.
"He said that his game is getting back to where it was. It is all so new that I'm not sure he's used to anything that's a downer for that long. He lost the first two weeks of the Premier League and that's the biggest kind of drought that he's ever had, but he's come back really well.
"He's got a really good follow through in his action and that's going to stand him in good stead. Tonight, it was nice and high without being pushed and I thought he looked a million dollars."
Cross also felt "relaxed and composed" and says he is "getting better every week" ahead of next Thursday's clash with winless Gerwyn Price in Glasgow.
"I felt great up there and I was glad to win," said Cross. "I was nice and relaxed and composed and my doubles were good today.
"Mensur didn't play as well as he has been recently but my setting up and finishing was great and it's something I've been working hard on.
"I'm really happy with the win, I'm enjoying it and I was focused on the job tonight. I feel I'm playing well and it's all going the right way for me at the minute - I feel I'm getting better every week."
The 2018 Premier League heads to The SSE Hydro in Glasgow next Thursday with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event. Eight weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
