Reigning world champion MVG is on 81 after nine darts, but in comes debutant Rob Cross with a 161 finish.

What a moment!

Anyway, the game goes on.

Van Gerwen starts the sixth set with five perfect darts...

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Cross looks disgusted at himself. He can't find a third red bit, but that's two 140s on his first two throws.

A sloppy 60 throws the leg wide open and World Champion MVG nails a 180.

BUT THAT IS RIDICULOUS.

Cross plants one in the bull to check out 161 and take the fifth set.

Easy hold there for MVG.

A nice 171 sets up the finish and despite missing double 18, he nails double 9 to level at 2-2 in the fifth.

A crucial leg coming up for Cross now.

Bish, bash, bosh.

Cross puts MVG under pressure again with a lightning quick leg and finishes on double 18.

I can't keep up!

What a ridiculous leg.

Van Gerwen misses double 11 to hold and level proceedings in the fifth set.

In comes Rob Cross, but he can't find tops.

Back comes Van Gerwen, who messes up with 20 left, Cross goes bust and Van Gerwen FINALLY bags a double on one.

Sloppy, sloppy leg.

This is what we've been waiting for!

Rob Cross looks the business and he's taking the game to MVG. In goes maximum number 10 and he's at 50 for the tournament.

But MVG fires in a 171 to put the pressure on 27-year-old Cross, who's sitting on 147.

A decent 135 from Cross which lets in MVG, but he misses two doubles. What is going on?

Cross nails double six on his final dart, and that's a hold.

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Darren Sheppard: Cross really has the game to push MVG all the way. Meteroic rise in the PDC for a very good reason, just hope the crowd don't get on his back like they did in the quarter final for absolutely no reason. #bbcdarts, external

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Van Gerwen in complete control in that leg. Alarm bells must have been ringing but the reigning World Champion keeps his cool and comfortably holds to take the fourth set.

Off he trots, but he's not looking happy.

And we're level in the fourth.

Rob Cross holds his throw as his final dart kicks off the marker and into the double 10.

This man does not panic.

I spoke too soon. Rob Cross gets himself on the board in the fourth set.

Two 180s and he wins the leg on double eight for a break of throw.

Van Gerwen is running through these legs, and he's on his way to the fourth set now.

A cool finish on double 18 and he'll have the arrows to level it at two sets all.

Is it a bit hot at the Ally Pally? Both players have a nice sheen on their heads.

Rob Cross goes back to the table to wipe his hands. He might not have a grip of these darts, but he's got a hold on this match.

Van Gerwen almost misses another three darts at a double, but his last dart bounces into the double 20. Relief for MVG, who is looking a wee bit rattled.

Seven maximums now for Rob Cross. He's averaging over 105.

MVG misses a 170 of his own, as Cross steps up to finish off a 65 with double 8.

CROSS LEADS 2-1. WOW.

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SO CLOSE!

Rob Cross has a go at a 170 finish.

In goes the first treble 20, followed by another... but then he hits 25 not the bull.

He's left to clean up the debris and that's messy, it looked like the dart slipped out of his hand there. Too sweaty?

But he clears his head and comes back for double four.

This man does not dwell on his mistakes.

But Rob Cross is not to be outdone.

He hits back with an 11-dart leg of his own.

Two darts at double 12, and he only needs one. Businesslike.

Right, the scoring went awry in the second set... not the players', mine. I apologise.

So let's start afresh.

Van Gerwen starts the third set with two perfect scores, he's on for a nine-darter...

But it's not to be. He nails double 16 on the return for an 11-dart leg.

This man is on FIRE.

Sean O'Sullivan: Early on there is not a hair['s breath] between MVG and Crossy. Long may it continue!

Not much hair on show in this final Sean...

OOOOOF.

Two perfect sets of darts from MVG but the crowd are disappointed, no nine-dart finish there.

But he hits tops with his third attempt and levels the sets at 1-1.

This is going to be tight.

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Oh dear MVG.

That's another three darts missed at a double, two at double 16 and one at double eight.

In sweeps former electrician Rob Cross to take out double 18 and level the scores.