Ryan Joyce has made it to his second-ever PDC major semi-final after a tense 3-2 victory over former world champion Rob Cross in the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Grand Prix. In a match that saw both players battle through patches of inconsistency, Joyce emerged victorious, setting up a semi-final clash with Belgium’s Mike de Decker.
This is a significant achievement for Joyce, who had already reached the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals last year. With this victory, Joyce not only keeps his hopes of a first major title alive but also takes a big step towards qualifying for the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts. The semi-final against De Decker represents a golden opportunity for both players to secure a spot in a major final, with the potential reward of a place in the Grand Slam looming over the contest.
A Slow Start but a Strong Finish
Neither Joyce nor Cross got off to a flying start in this quarter-final match. The first set was marked by a lack of clinical finishing from both players, but it was Cross who struck first. He managed to break Joyce’s throw and claim the opening set, finishing with a 140 and an 82 checkout on double 16. At this point, it looked like the former World Champion had the upper hand, though his performance was far from commanding.
The second set saw Joyce begin to find his rhythm. After holding his throw to stay in contention, Joyce battled through the decider to level the match at 1-1 in sets. Despite missing several darts at a double to close out the set, Joyce held his nerve as Cross failed to convert a 118 checkout. Joyce then stepped up to hit double two, bringing the match level and signaling a shift in momentum.
Momentum Swings Back and Forth
The third set appeared to be heading Joyce’s way as he poised himself on a 104 finish to take the lead. However, Cross demonstrated the kind of resilience that earned him his world title by staying in the set with an impressive 104 checkout of his own, making it 2-2 in sets. At this stage, it felt like the match could go either way, with both players producing occasional flashes of brilliance, but neither dominating.
Joyce, though, was not to be denied. In the final set, he showed greater composure, particularly when Cross began to falter. After Cross missed crucial darts to make it 1-1 in legs, Joyce took control of the set, breaking Cross’s throw to move within one leg of victory.
Clinical Finish to Secure Victory
Cross, who had looked out of sorts for much of the match, had one final opportunity to stay in the contest. However, two missed darts at double gave Joyce the chance to finish the job, and he did so with ruthless efficiency. Sitting on 64, Joyce needed just two darts to seal the win, hitting treble eight and then a pinpoint double 20 to clinch the match 3-2 in sets.
With this victory, Joyce moves into the semi-finals where he will face Mike de Decker, another player experiencing a breakthrough run in this tournament. Both players are just one match away from reaching their first major final, and the stakes couldn’t be higher, as they not only fight for a chance at the World Grand Prix title but also a potential spot in the Grand Slam of Darts.
Looking Ahead
Joyce’s win over Rob Cross cements his status as one of the tournament’s surprise packages. His journey to the semi-final has been hard-fought, with resilience being his defining trait. Despite not producing his best darts throughout the tournament, he has found ways to win against tough opposition, and now finds himself on the cusp of a career-defining moment.
As Joyce prepares to take on De Decker, fans can expect a tense and high-stakes encounter, with both players eager to seize this rare opportunity. Neither player will enter the match as the favorite, but both will have the belief that they can go all the way. With the draw wide open following the exit of big names like Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, this could be the moment when Ryan Joyce steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight as a major contender.
