2019 Betfred World Matchplay – Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski taking place? Wednesday 24th July, 2019
Where is Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski taking place? Winter Gardens, Blackpool
What channel is Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski on? Sky Sports Action
Where can I stream Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Rob Cross vs Krzysztof Ratajski? Check https://www.pdc.tv/betfred-world-matchplay-tickets for ticket information
THE STATISTICS
All-time meetings: Rob Cross 4-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Last meeting: Rob Cross beat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0
THE PLAYERS
ROB CROSS
- Rob Cross had a comfortable 10-3 victory against Chris Dobey to reach the second round. Despite a slow start, Voltage led 4-1 at the first break with Dobey having had first dart at a double in four of the first five legs and the 2018 world champion improved thereafter and never looked under threat.
- Cross ended the match against Dobey with an average of 100.6 and a very competent checkout percentage of 58.2%. His impressive closing out of legs included a 130 finish in the final leg of the match.
- He is aiming to get to the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay for the first time having lost in the second round on each of his two previous appearances in Blackpool.
KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI
- Krzysztof Ratajski defeated number 15 seed Darren Webster 10-5 on his World Matchplay debut to reach the second round at the first attempt. Ratajski took the lead early on and although the scores were level at 5-5 going into the second break, a run of five consecutive winning legs saw him ease through.
- The Polish Eagle’s match against Webster was not a high-quality affair as both players finished the match with averages in the high 80s. It was only the second time in 32 matches that Ratajski has averaged under 90.
- In their last meeting, which was only a week ago at a Players Championship tournament, Ratajski was trounced 6-0 by Cross who averaged almost 110 in a tremendous performance.
THE PREDICTION
The number two seed Rob Cross is striving to reach the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay for first time and standing in his way is a potentially tricky match against 2017 World Masters champion Krzysztof Ratajski, who has proven his quality with four PDC tournament wins over the last 18 months. Cross eased through his round one match against Chris Dobey with plenty to spare and an average of over 100. Ratajski didn’t perform as well as he can against Webster in his opening game but he should feel more comfortable having come through his debut match at Blackpool.
As tough as Ratajski is, one feels that over a long format such as this, it would take a below-par performance from Cross to give the Polish Eagle a chance to progress. The extra threat that Cross has of stringing together consecutive legs of world class darts should be the difference. The match might be close for the opening two sessions but Voltage will likely pull away in the later stages.
