Phil Taylor back in action tonight at darts World Grand Prix
Reigning champion Phil Taylor is in action tonight as the last-16 of the darts World Grand Prix begins in Dublin.
The 15-time champion of the world takes on Andy Smith, and while Taylor cruised to a two sets to nil win over Brendan Dolan without losing a leg, Smith went all the way in his match against Jamie Caven and won in the deciding leg.
Having been out of the game for two months after having surgery on an infected leg, Pieman Smith upset Caven in the opening match of the tournament after coming from a set down. He topped the win with a brilliant 120 finish to advance.
There is not one bad word to say about Taylor, and in his first match, he was playing in cruise mode. The Power is chasing a 10th World Grand Prix, and Smith won’t cause a problem for him tonight.
In the first match of the last-16, the impressive Wayne Jones takes on Steve Brown. Jones beat world No.4 Mervyn King in the last round in the final set after producing some wonderful darts. Jones has been in good form this year, reaching the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay and reaching the final of the European Championship.
Brown beat World Grand Prix debutant Steve Farmer in his first match, and Jones is expecting a tough match tonight. “Steve's been around for a few years now and it was always going to be a matter of time before he started to do it on the big stage, which he is doing now,” he said.
“He's pumped up but that will suit me fine....and I'll be ready for him. If I finish like I did in the first round and put my scoring right then I'll be pleased. It's a longer game and I'm looking forward to it,” Jones added.
Terry Jenkins plays Adrian Lewis in a tasty encounter. Jenkins was a 2-0 winner over Vincent van der Voort, the quickest player on the circuit. The Bull has another quick match on his hands, and will have to be on his guard against the talented Lewis, who can blow away opponents in minutes when he’s on his game.
Lewis overcame Alan Tabern in the last-32, and at times showed why he could win his first major title this week, knocking in 180s and ton-plus scores. However, at times he also showed why he couldn’t win the World Grand Prix, and he must not do that against the consistent Jenkins, who is a two-time finalist here as well.
In another cracking game, Gary Anderson plays Kevin Painter. Painter beat Mark Dudbridge by two sets to one after coming from a set down. Anderson, in his match against Ronnie Baxter, produced a stunning comeback. Anderson was a set down and two legs down in the second, and on the brink of defeat. However, he found his rhythm and hit six 180s to pull the win out of the fire. He knows he must play better to beat a determined Painter in what could be another thrilling contest.
Tags: