Rob Cross insists he has no ‘God-given proper’ to be thought-about one of many world’s top-16 gamers.
Cross endured a robust 2025 season that noticed him plummet down the rankings and omitted from the Premier League lineup.
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The former world champion was once more in motion over the weekend as he progressed previous Daryl Gurney within the round-of-16 at the UK Open.
The event itself hasn’t been wanting drama after Charlie Manby had to be dragged away from opponent James Hurrell by the referee on Friday.
Meanwhile, victory over Gurney noticed ‘Voltage’ safe a main quarter-final spot for the primary time in 15 months.
Cross will now face James Wade as he seems to be to make the semi-finals of the competitors on Sunday afternoon.
The 35-year-old has admitted that no player is assured a spot among the many sport’s elite and that previous success counts for nothing within the recreation.
High Voltage
“It’s important because of the Euros and other stuff, but just because I have won other things doesn’t mean I deserve to be in the top 16,” Cross said.
“I think there is a massive part of life and what we all have to remember is that I used to work for a living.
“I used to have to rise up at 4:30am and put in blood, sweat and tears 5 days a week.
“When things get tough, sometimes you just have to dig in. I haven’t got a God-given right to be in the top 16.
“No disrespect to Peter Wright for what he’s achieved within the recreation, or Michael Smith. They haven’t obtained a God-given proper to be there both.
“You’ve got to work hard, you’ve got to put everything in. Hopefully the head turns, which I think it is.”
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Luke Littler is trying to efficiently defend his 2025 UK Open crown having received the event for the primary time final 12 months.
Littler beat Wade within the 2025 remaining, however has his work reduce out to make the semi-finals when he takes on Dutch darts star Danny Noppert immediately.
Elsewhere, Krzysztof Ratajski takes on Josh Rock within the first of 4 quarter-final clashes on Sunday.
And it is an all-Welsh affair for the ultimate recreation of the day as Gerwyn Price takes on compatriot Jonny Clayton.
