Tuesday 2 January 2018 16:14, UK
Debutant Rob Cross stunned 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the World Championship final on Monday and then paid tribute to the retiring 57-year-old after his win.
Taylor had been aiming for a 17th world crown before retiring after the championships but Englishman Cross, 30 years his junior, beat him 7-2 at Alexandra Palace.
Cross, a former electrician who only turned professional at the start of 2017, averaged 106.67, struck 11 maximums and finished with an impressive 60 per cent doubles success en route to collecting a cheque of £400,000.
Cross condemned Taylor to defeat in his final match and was keen to praise him for the impact he has had on darts during a career which saw him win over £7 million in prize money and more than 200 career titles.
"I feel great, but I got to say I won my first world title, but it's about him departing. It was my dream 15 years ago to play this guy and now I played him - absolutely phenomenal," said Cross.
"I was actually born in 1990, the coincidence that when he won his first ever world title I took my first breath of air. What he has done for the game, I hope he has a happy retirement and wish him all the best.
"I have to admit in the final today, it was a dream to play Phil and watching him with his dominance over the years, he has been excellent.
"You won't see another sportsman like him. He's phenomenal."
The 2018 Premier League is the next major darting event on Sky Sports, running from February to May. Dublin's hugely popular 3Arena will open the 2018 season on Thursday, February 1 from 7pm on Sky Sports Action with the season concluding at the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
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