Phil Taylor is playing his last ever match before retiring but will it be the fairytale ending he deserves?
Standing in his way is 27-year-old Rob Cross, who was relatively unknown in the darting sphere this time last year.
Cross was an electrician before quitting in 2016. He then entered the amateur qualifiers for the UK Open that year before he was knocked out by Michael van Gerwen.
Darts then became his priority and he’s gone on to earn £211,250 playing the sport.
Sixteen-time world champion Taylor will be looking to end his career on a high though, but knows Cross will be no easy match after he dispatched reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final.
Why is Phil Taylor retiring?
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES OF PHIL TAYLOR VS ROB CROSS BELOW
Rob Cross vs Phil Taylor – first to seven sets
Cross (3) 0-3 (1) Taylor
Taylor finally gets a leg, checking out on 151 to a massive cheer from the crowd.
Cross misses the bull and Taylor responds to win consecutive legs for the first time in the match.
Taylor is on the board with his first set. How will Cross react to that then?
Cross (3) 3-0 (0) Taylor
Another 180 from Cross sends him on his way to hold throw with a 36 checkout.
Cross is on fire, hitting five perfect darts in the second leg. A 52 checkout makes it an 11-dart leg for the 27-year-old.
Sloppy from Taylor as he misses a 150 checkout and Cross once again punishes him with a 153 checkout.
Taylor has no answers at the moment.
Cross (2) 3-1 (0) Taylor
Taylor opens the second set with a 177 in a leg that Cross also hits 180.
There’s even a fist bump between the pair in a slightly bizarre exchange as they share a joke before Cross hits double 16.
Turns out Cross spilt his drink as Taylor took his throw. Remembe cough gate? Let’s not go back there with drink gate.
Cross isn’t lacking any confidence, checking out on 88 this time to move 2-0 up in the second set. Taylor needs this one.
And he does just that, checking out on double tops.
Taylor hits a 180 but Cross silences him with a 167 checkout by hiting the bull. Stunning darts.
Rob Cross vs Phil Taylor – best of 13 sets
Cross (1) 3-1 (0) Taylor
First leg goes to Cross as he checks out on 84, getting double 18 at his first attempt.
Some bad luck in the second leg sees Cross’ dart bounce off the board and Taylor records a 46 checkout to level the scores.
Cross hits two maximums in the third on his way to wrapping up a 12-dart leg.
Taylor goes close with a 147 checkout and then misses the chance to finish on 36. Cross punishes him and takes the first set.
Here we go
Remember, it’s the best of 13 sets and we could be in for a long evening.
Not that we mind. What else are you supposed to doing on New Year’s Day?
For the last time!
It’s only the walk on song but it’s Taylor’s last entrace to the oche.
No tears yet, from Taylor that is, not me, obviously.
The 57-year-old is relishing every moment of it and even stops to take a selfie and sign autographs for his fans.
Taylor – legend
Rob Cross was asked to describe Phil Taylor in one word.
“One word – legend.
“Don’t get me wrong, It’s Phil Taylor’s last year and it’s going to be the first time I play him.
“He’s truly amazing for what he’s done for the sport but I’ve got to be right at the same time and I’ve got a match to win.
“It’s going to be hard to separate the two but it’s got to happen that way.”
You’ll be a legend too if you pull this off, Cross.
Prize money
Just a reminder there is £400,000 at stake tonight for the winner, with the runner-up getting a cool £170,000.
And Cross only earned his first £250 as a professional in February.
As pay-rises go, that’s a good one.
Walk ons
Not long until both players make their way through the crowd to the oche.
Everyone knows Phil Taylor’s ‘The Power’ walk on song but what about Rob Cross?
His choice of walk-on music is ‘Hot Hot Hot’ by Arrow.
Get ready to sing along!
Darts in numbers
Wondering how many pints of beer have been been consumed so far? Or how about how many 180’s have been thrown in this remarkable tournament?
Well Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark has crunched the numbers for us.
Darts Thrown: 38555
180’s: 633
170 checkouts: 6
Dart Boards: 80
Foam Hands: 68,000
180 signs: 80,000
Pints of beer: 500,000
Prize Money: 1.8 million
Winners Cheque: £400,000
Runner Up: £170,000
Cross to throw first
Ever the gentleman or years of experience? Maybe the mind games have started already.
Phil Taylor has won the pre-match Bull-up and has given the throw to Rob Cross.
WELCOME!
Ladies and Gentleman, and all the millions watching around the world, welcome to Express Sport’s LIVE coverage of the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship final from Alexandra Palace, LONDONNNNNN!
Ok, I’m no MC like John McDonald but the final is here and there is plenty of excitement building!
Will Phil Taylor win an incredible 17th World Championship?
Or is Rob Cross going to rip up the script and send the veteran packing, just like he did with Michael van Gerwen.
We’ll be finding out soon enough with both players due to the oche at approximately 8pm.
