ROCK PRAISES COMEBACK KING REYES
22/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
JOSH ROCK hailed the class of comeback king Cristo Reyes.
‘Rocky’ averaged a stellar 98.57 and fired in six of his nine doubles to beat the Spaniard 6-3 and enter the quarter-final of the Poland Masters.
World No. 9 Rock was quick to praise Reyes, who has impressed since returning to the professional circuit after losing his Tour Card in 2021.
He said: “It’s like he never left. I wasn’t on the tour when he was on the tour, but Cristo is a fantastic player and he already qualified for the next four European Tours.
“It just shows his class. He was good there today. If I am being honest, I think he gave up in the last leg because I was too far in front.
“The confidence that Cristo has at the minute, I had to get over the line. I am happy with the win.
“For him to come back on the tour like it’s nothing, wow, fair play.”
The Antrim thrower has now set up a blockbuster quarter-final clash with Luke Littler at the Krakow Expo.
Rock has lost all four bouts against the teen sensation, although they have been close affairs bar the World Masters.
He added: “Hopefully they are in for a treat and I can come out the winner.”
Rock is targeting a second European Tour crown, with his most recent triumph coming at the 2024 Dutch Darts Championship.
