US Darts Masters: Gary Anderson defeats Rob Cross to land the title in Las Vegas
Gary Annderson claimed his sixth World Series of Darts title with a superb 8-4 comeback win over Rob Cross in the William Hill US Darts Masters final on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort.
The two-time world champion showed his class with a series of gritty performances as he took the £20,000 title and continued his global success with a first win in Las Vegas.
Anderson followed up his brilliant first round win over DJ Sayre by ending the hopes of Canadian youngster Dawson Murschell with an 8-5 quarter-final win, after trailing 3-2 early on.
He was also made to work hard in the semi-finals, avoiding defeat by the width of a wire against James Wade before prevailing in a deciding leg.
Wade led 6-2 before Anderson hit back to level, and the left-hander then moved 7-6 up only to miss double ten for a 140 checkout and victory, before the Scot levelled and took out 75 to snatch the win.
World champion Cross made the early running in the final by taking a 3-0 lead, and also held a 4-1 advantage.
Anderson, though, punished missed doubles from his rival as he levelled in a run of seven legs as he stormed to victory, sealing the title with a stunning 164 checkout.
"I'm delighted," said Anderson. "I really had to work hard today but it's been a great event and the fans were fantastic.
"I've had three or four weeks off since the World Cup but I've played well this week and there's lots to look forward to now.
"James played well in the semi-finals and at the start of the game I missed loads of doubles that it was killing me, but I dug in and I got there.
"It was the same against Rob in the final. Once I got level with him I wanted to do what I do - score well."
Anderson added: "The players over here are getting better and better. I played DJ and hit one of those games where I played really well and he was still on my tail.
"Dawson stuck in against me, and he's on the ProTour now, he's going to learn a lot. Every year it's getting better, which is good."
Cross had won through to his first World Series of Darts final with impressive wins over Michael Smith and Peter Wright during Saturday's final day of action.
Smith played his part in an outstanding quarter-final, sharing the opening 12 legs before Cross pulled clear to win 8-6, with the pair landing seven maximums apiece.
Cross then overcame Peter Wright 8-3 in the semi-finals, but was denied the title by Anderson's amazing fightback.
"It was an amazing tournament," said Cross. "I felt great coming out this week and I played some good stuff. I missed a few shots in the final and I was my own enemy."
Wade had produced one of his most dominant displays on the World Series stage as he ended Michael van Gerwen's title defeat with an outstanding 8-3 quarter-final victory.
Wade led 5-0 before Van Gerwen hit back, but a crucial 161 stopped the world number one's fightback in its tracks as he moved into the last four.
Wright overcame 2017 US Masters finalist Daryl Gurney 8-6 in their quarter-final tie, avenging a narrow loss to the Northern Irish ace at the same stage a year ago.
The eight PDC stars, including Friday's first round victim Gerwyn Price, will now travel to China ahead of the next World Series of Darts event, the Shanghai Darts Masters, on July 13-14.
US Darts Masters: Results
Friday July 6 (8pm UK time)
First Round (All games best of 11 legs)
- Michael Smith 6-1 David Cameron
- James Wade 6-5 Danny Lauby
- Rob Cross 6-1 Ross Snook
- Dawson Murschell 6-2 Gerwyn Price
- Gary Anderson 6-1 DJ Sayre
- Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Jeff Smith
- Peter Wright 6-4 Joseph Huffman
- Daryl Gurney 6-2 John Norman Jnr
Saturday July 7 (8pm local time)
All games best of 15 legs
Quarter-Finals
- Rob Cross 8-6 Michael Smith
- Peter Wright 8-6 Daryl Gurney
- Gary Anderson 8-5 Dawson Murschell
- James Wade 8-3 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-Finals
- Rob Cross 8-3 Peter Wright
- Gary Anderson 8-7 James Wade
Final
- Rob Cross 4-8 Gary Anderson
World Series of Darts: 2018 Event Calendar
- German Darts Masters - May 25 (Winner: Mensur Suljovic)
- U.S. Darts Masters - July 3-7
- Shanghai Darts Masters - July 13-14
- Auckland Darts Masters - August 3-5
- Melbourne Darts Masters - August 10-12
- Brisbane Darts Masters - August 17-19
- World Series of Darts Finals - November 2-4
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