Rob Cross has beaten defending world champion Michael van Gerwen in one of the greatest games of darts you will ever see to book a spot in the PDC World Darts Championship final against Phil Taylor.
Cross who had never beaten van Gerwen in a televised match won 6-5 in a sudden death thriller to cause another massive upset at the Alexandra Palace on Sunday (NZ time).
The 28-year-old Van Gerwen was looking to make his third consecutive final and try to win his third world title, but the Dutchman missed 58 darts at the double during the match which proved costly.
Both players went blow for blow in the opening eight sets before van Gerwen won the ninth set to take the lead, but Cross remained calm and composed to fight back to set up a thrilling eleventh leg.
Van Gerwen had a chance to win the match in the tenth leg but missed five match darts, and the 27-year-old Cross pounced to force a sudden death leg which he won by hitting double eight.
"Words can't explain it," Cross said told Sky Sports after the match.
"Today I played well, the crowd helped me, and they got on Michael's back, that's why I won.
"At points, I felt inexperienced, but I got through. I believe in my ability, and if I come out and play my best, I believe I can keep with Michael every day.
Awaiting Cross is 16-time world champion Phil Taylor who beat Welshman Jamie Lewis 6-1 to qualify for his 21st World Championship final - his first since 2015.
In what will be Taylor’s final match as a professional, he will look to end his illustrious career by claiming his 17th world title.
Taylor averaged 99.87 and landed 20/38 doubles compared to Lewis’ 97.35 average and 14/41 on doubles.
The number of missed doubles by Lewis proved costly in the match as the 27-year-old missed set darts in the second, third, fourth and sixth sets to allow Taylor to pounce and it was a case of what might have been in the end.
"I took advantage of Jamie's inexperience," Taylor said after the match. "I just kept picking him off at the right times.
"The best thing for me is that I've got a day off tomorrow. I'm going to rest and get ready for the final. "
The final will be played on Tuesday morning (NZ time).
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