Sunday 1st October 2017 - Saturday 7th October 2017

Rob Cross has been knocked out of the Unibet World Grand Prix in the opening round, going down by two sets to nil against the 1996 BDO world champion Steve Beaton at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.

Beaton, making his 14th appearence at the tournament got off to a decent start by holding throw in the first leg of the first set by taking out 93 (16, T19, D10) for an 18 darter. Cross missed darts in the second leg as Beaton hit double top in a 20 dart leg. A first maximum of the match for Cross in the third leg wasn't enough to get a shot at a double as 'The Bronzed Adonis' started with scores of 120 and 140 and finished off with a 42 checkout to take the opening set three zip.

A missed dart at double sixteen for a 131 finish cost Cross the opening leg of the second set as Beaton hit the same double for a 13 darter. 'Voltage' then won his first leg of the match with a 59 finish (19, D20) in a 14 dart leg to level and went ahead by taking out double eight in the next. Beaton then held throw with a 48 checkout to take the set into a decider where Cross missed one dart at double top to take the match into a third set as Beaton finished off 59 for a 15 darter to advance to the second round.

Cross hit two maximums and averaged 85.59. Beaton hit one maximum and averaged 89.59.

Cross won £5,000 in prize money.