Rob Cross has reached the Slovak Darts Open final after beating Tom Sykes 7-2 in Sunday night’s semi-final at the Incheba Expo in Bratislava.
The former world champion moved through the first ever PDC European Tour event staged in Slovakia with a controlled semi-final display, ending Sykes’ breakout run after the qualifier had already beaten Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
Cross had earlier edged Kevin Doets 6-5 in the last 16 before beating Nathan Aspinall 6-2 in the quarter-final. Those results left him one match from the £35,000 winner’s prize and a significant European Tour statement, according to the official Slovak Darts Open schedule from PDC Europe.
Cross now waits on Smith or Nijman in Bratislava
The other side of the draw still carried serious weight. Ross Smith beat Andrew Gilding 6-4 in the quarter-finals, while Wessel Nijman defeated Mike De Decker 6-3 to keep his strong 2026 form moving.
That set up Smith against Nijman for the right to face Cross in the final, with the title carrying Order of Merit value as well as the first Slovak Darts Open trophy.
For Cross, this is the kind of run that matters beyond one Sunday night. He has taken out Gian van Veen, Aspinall and Sykes across the weekend, and now has the chance to turn a sharp Bratislava campaign into a European Tour title.
