TWO-TIME champion Gary Anderson cut a new look on the oche to fire his William Hill World Darts Championship title hopes.
The Flying Scotsman changed his glasses and darts after struggling to find his best form in the early rounds at Alexandra Palace.
Anderson's tactic worked as he hit seven 180s and averaged 97.27 to beat Rob Cross 4-3 and reach his seventh world championship quarter-final in eight years.
"I went back to the old darts and they were working a treat," Anderson, world champion in 2015 and 2016, told Sky Sports.
"I was doing all right.
"I was 3-1 up and made a complete mess of one leg.
"Rob stuck in and came back.
“But there were no nerves.
"I win and it's fantastic to get through.
“If I get beat I go home and spend a few extra days with the family. No pressure whatsoever."
Cross, the 2018 world champion, claimed the first set but Anderson then won five successive legs and a 170 checkout helped him into a commanding 3-1 lead.
Anderson, of Musselburgh, missed seven darts at a double for a 2-0 lead in the fifth set, and Cross – who produced a 144 checkout – stormed back to level proceedings in what was fast becoming a thriller.
But Anderson kept his nerve and dominated the last set to secure a quarter-final tie with Luke Humphries.
All four quarter-finals are played tomorrow (Saturday), with Anderson looking to set up a semi-final clash with fellow Scotsman Peter Wright or Callan Rydz.
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