‘I didn't feel any nerves': Josh Rock produces blistering performance in World Series debut
Rock recorded the second-best average of the day, pummelling in four 180s on his way to a 108.16 average and a 75 per cent checkout rate, including a 127 finish that saw him comfortably over the line and sets up a Quarter-Final meeting with top seed Stephen Bunting on Saturday.
'I didn't actually feel any nerves tonight,' admitted Rock, who has reached a career-high of 11th in the world. 'I really enjoyed my first experience of playing in Australia and I'm very happy with that performance.'
Rock's average was bettered only by Australia's own Damon Heta, the only seeded local player, who finished with a 109.98 rate and crashed in four ton-plus checkouts to whitewash James Bailey, while Luke Littler survived a last-leg decider to overcome New Zealand number one Haupai Puha.
World No.1 Luke Humphries had to come from behind to defeat another New Zealander in Jonny Tata by a 6-3 scoreline, with reigning champion Gerwyn Price opening by winning by the same score against DPA number one Joe Comito.
Bunting was another of the seeded players – all of whom triumphed in Wollongong – to eclipse a ton average as he swept aside Brody Klinge 6-1, although the debuting Australian took the headlines with a stunning 161 checkout to clinch his first World Series leg.
Rock's fellow World Series debutant Mike de Decker averaged 60 per cent on the outer ring to down Brandon Weening, the World Grand Prix champion securing a 6-3 victory, while Chris Dobey had to recover from 4-2 down by winning four straight legs to avoid a scare against Tim Pusey.
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