ROCK: “A MAJOR IS COMING SOON”
02/03/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
JOSH ROCK believes a maiden major title is on the horizon after he beat Rob Cross 10-6 to reach the Quarter-Final of the UK Open.
‘Rocky’ averaged 99.92 and hit seven 180s as he came back from 4-0 down to defeat ‘Voltage’ in Round Six.
In the afternoon session Rock overcame Ross Smith 10-9 in a thrilling last leg decider as both players averaged over 103.
World No.17 Rock will now face Nathan Aspinall today (Sunday) for a place in the semi-finals.
Following his victories, Rock was full of praise for Cross.
He said: “Last year in the fourth round I got Rob and he beat me 10-2. I got my own back this year.
“When I went 8-6 up, I thought I had him because I was settled, trebles were flying and he wasn’t hitting anything after that.
“In my eyes [our relationship is like] father and son. Teacher and student, it’s very hard to play well when he has taught me a lot of things in this game.”
The Antrim thrower revealed fatherhood and marriage have put him in good stead to win his first major title
He said: “It’s a fresh start with everything. I’ve proved it. I’m really happy. Obviously, I got married in January and had my daughter in September. Life has been a lot different and I’m benefiting from it.
“The way I feel now is a major is coming soon in my eyes. I have to keep digging deep and performing the way I have to.”
Image by Kieran Cleeves.
