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Rob Cross explains why Michael van Gerwen will ‘be back stronger’ amid form struggles


Michael van Gerwen is struggling for form and results at the moment (Picture: Getty Images)

Michael van Gerwen may not be winning as many darts matches as he is used to at the moment, but the newly crowned World Matchplay champion, Rob Cross, expects that to change in the near future.

The world number one fell in the second round of the Matchplay to Glen Durrant, making it six tournaments on the spin without lifting a trophy.

Any other player would barely notice that statistic, especially as there was a final and semi-final in that run of results, but it is the first time it has happened to MVG for nearly four years.

Cross cannot see Mighty Mike’s sticky spell lasting long, though, and believes his ability to ignore criticism is what makes him such a force at the top of the game.

After winning the Matchplay title, Cross silenced critics that suggests he was a one-hit wonder after his 2018 World Championship win, and says he too just tries to blank out the dissenting voice.

‘Everyone’s due an opinion, they can do what they want in life, but I have to believe something different,’ Cross told Live Darts after his Blackpool win.

‘If you listen to people that want to put you down then you’ll never get anywhere in life.

Rob Cross won the World Matchplay for the first time this year (Picture: Getty Images)

‘That goes for anyone, even Michael, for instance, if people kept putting him down and he wanted to listen then it would make him worse.

‘But that’s why Michael’s that good, he doesn’t listen, and that’s why he’ll come back stronger and he’ll be fine.’

Van Gerwen will not be competing at the Players Championship events this weekend in Hildesheim, Germany, preferring to take some time off before the World Series events in Australia and New Zealand over the rest of the month.

As ever, MVG was determined not to let his poor result at the Matchplay get him down and move on.

The world champion tweeted: ‘I’m absolutely gutted to lose in the last 16 at the Matchplay. I was determined to win this one but I couldn’t find my top game and Glen took advantage of that.

‘He’s a very good player and all the credit is to him. I missed too many chances and gave too many away. Simple as that.’

Meanwhile, world number two Cross cut the gap at the top of the rankings between him and MVG thanks to his huge £150,000 win in Blackpool.

Voltage is still a fair way behind the Dutchman (£665,000), but he is cemented in second spot and is looking forward to the World Grand Prix at the start of October where he has no money to defend.

‘It’s a step in the right direction,’ continued Cross. ‘I’ve got a massive year, with defending, but really it’s irrelevant, I need to go out there, show aggression and enjoy the game.

‘I’ve got the World Grand Prix coming up, I’ve never won a game there, it’s fantastic.’

Cross is also skipping the ProTour events in Germany ahead of the trip Down Under with Peter Wright, Daryl Gurney, James Wade and Gary Anderson all doing the same.

MORE: Michael Smith, Glen Durrant, Stephen Bunting climb PDC Order of Merit after World Matchplay

MORE: Michael Smith left ‘fuming’ after World Matchplay final defeat to Rob Cross





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