TheOche.com

Dutch top darter Raymond van Barneveld defeated Taylor 10-9 in their UK Open quarter final matchup, making it the third year in a row that Barneveld has walked away the winner against his rival from Stoke in this stage of the event.

Skysports:

Taylor, fresh from a nine-darter on Saturday, reeled off five consecutive legs to turn an early 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 lead.

But van Barneveld responded in kind by taking the next five, including a 100 checkout, and looked in control of proceedings at 8-5 in front.

The momentum swung back to Taylor, who claimed three on the bounce to level at 8-8. The next to were shared meaning a deciding leg was required.

And it was van Barneveld who came through, landing a crucial 180 to leave himself a checkout of 109, which he duly completed with treble 20, single 17 and double 16 to leave Taylor stranded on a 107 finish.

“I can’t describe how happy I am,” remarked Barneveld. “I’ve won so many tournmanents, but it always means so much to me to beat the greatest player ever. He’s been unbeatable for three months. What he’s done since February is amazing, but I said to myself when the draw came out that I had to believe in myself because it’s always 0-0 at the start of every game.”
Taylor added “I tried hard, and maybe I was trying too hard in that last leg. Raymond’s 180 was great and it was a brilliant shot on that 109 to win it. He’s got a lot of bottle and I hope he goes on and wins the tournament.”
For the complete article, please visit SkySports.com.