Rob Cross reaches World Championship third round with victory over Ian White

Rob Cross eased into the third round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-1 win over veteran Ian White.

It has been a disappointing year for the 2018 champion, with a host of early exits in the major tournaments.

But he still has dreams of adding a second world title and guaranteed a return to Alexandra Palace after Christmas with an accomplished display.

Mensur Suljovic set up a possible third-round tie with Luke Littler and annoyed Joe Cullen by doing it.

The Slovenian is a notoriously slow player, which irked Cullen throughout a 3-1 defeat.

Tensions were heightened further when Suljovic threw the winning dart and ran off to celebrate on the side of the stage, leaving his opponent waiting for a handshake.

Cullen had a few words to say, but it was Suljovic who had the last laugh.

That joy might not last too much longer, though, with Littler looming in the next round.

Krzystof Ratajski will come back after Christmas after a 3-1 win over Ryan Joyce, while Luke Woodhouse made light work of Max Hopp with a 3-0 success.

Meanwhile, Dom Taylor has apologised for failing a drugs test which saw him kicked out of the tournament.

Taylor was removed after a random anti-doping procedure last week returned a positive result.

The 27-year-old beat Oskar Lukasiak in the opening round and afterwards spoke about how he was on the up following a failed test at the end of 2024 which led to a suspension in January.

Days later he has been thrown out of the competition, pending a Darts Regulation Authority disciplinary hearing.

Taylor wrote on Facebook: “I’m sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys. All my fans, be it outside of darts or inside of darts.

“I need to apologise for blatantly lying to you all in my interview after my win against Oskar last week, as I have been lying to myself and everyone else around me.

“I did complete and finish the course that I was required to do at the end of last/beginning of this year, along with everything else I was required to do and sanctions.”

Taylor said his failed drugs test was a result of a troubled personal life, including the anniversary of the death of his daughter.

Published: 21/12/2025 by Radio NewsHub