Taylor Looks to World Championship and Another Win, by Phill Catterick
NOTE: The following article was written and graciously submitted by Phill Catterick, a freelance writer based in Staffordshire. Phill may be contacted by email.
The lights may be fading on 2008 as the year draws to a close and the Christmas weather provides its traditional wet and windy feel, but it certainly hasn�t dampened Phil Taylor�s hopes of a best possible start to 2009.
The 48 year old from Stoke is more confident than ever of securing the World crown, and will begin his campaign on the 20th of this month against publican Steve Grubb at the Alexandra Palace.
`The Power` has had a magnificent season, but has not held aloft the World Championship since 2006, as Raymond Van Barneveld and John Part shared the spoils in the following years, with Taylor being beaten in the 2007 final, and then failing to make the semis last year after defeat to `Hawaii 501` Wayne Mardle.
However, the 13 time champion of the world is pleased with his current form and cannot wait for his match on Saturday in the capital, he said:
�I’ve just found out I’m playing on the 20th of December and I can’t wait for this year.
�I think my form this year has been fantastic, I’m absolutely made up. I’m made up just to qualify for the world championship and to be a part of it and keep my career going.
�At 48 years old, for me it’s fantastic.�
The reigning Premier League Champion will be joined at the `Ally Pally` by Anastasia Dobromyslova, who left the BDO after her defeat in the World Masters final last weekend, and Taylor believes that she has the ability to cause an upset should she get through, he continued:
�If she takes her practice game onto the main board then some of these boys are going to have a hell of a battle.
�I think this year’s going to be an almighty learning curve for Anastasia. She has been chucked in at the deep end, but she knows what to do to be a winner because she’s already been a winner.�
Infact, Dobromyslova is the reigning women�s World Champion in the BDO, and took part in the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton last month, and despite being knocked out in the group stages, she came nail bitingly close to beating Mardle in her final game, but the Englishman pulled through to fend her off 5-4.
Taylor believes that the Russian although gifted, has no chance of winning the tournament overall. He added:
�I wouldn’t bet against her winning in the first round or second round, but I don’t think I’d bet on her winning the world championships this year – because I’m going to win.�
This will be the second year that the world championship will be played at the Alexandra Palace after its move from the Circus Tavern.
`The Power` believes the players will be more relaxed and the venue will provide a better competition this time round. He said:
�The first year we played at the Alexandra Palace I think everybody was overwhelmed by the size of the stage which is massive, and also the size of the venue.
�Now after doing the Premier League it’s no problem. Once you’ve done it then you know what it’s all about.
�I think you will see a proper Ladbrokes.com world championship – with me in the final!�
Proceedings get underway this Friday with Barneveld, Part, Wade, Lewis, Jenkins and Van Gerwen all looking to prove Taylor wrong and make him wait for his 14th title.
But gentlemen beware, because here come the girls!
