Phil Taylor is expecting an exciting night of darts on Monday as the Premier League reaches its conclusion – and has warned his rivals that he has “three or four gears to go yet”.
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The world number one is seeking a fifth Premier League title, as the top four players do battle at the Wembley Arena.
The tournament finally was due to take place at the London venue on Sunday, but a power cut in the local area caused officials to postpone until Monday evening.
Taylor will start as firm favourite to lift the title but after losing his crown to James Wade last year, ‘The Power’ will not be taking anything for granted.
The 15-time world champion has gone through the tournament, 14 matches to date, without losing a match and averaging over 100 but admits that will count for nothing unless he wins the trophy.
Taylor said: “I want to win this back and I’m after it big-style. A couple of times I got a bit lucky to get draws but it’s not always easy to get over the finishing line and I’m happy.”
Meryvn King will be Taylor’s opponent in the semi final, with defending champion Wade taking on Whitlock in the other match, with a £125,000 cheque awaiting the winner of the final.
The 49-year-old Taylor lost 11-7 to king in last year’s semi-finals and the Stoke man is out to gain revenge when the two men meet and he feels there is plenty still in the tank.
Taylor insisted: “I will be ready, 100 per cent, and I’ve got another three or four gears to go yet. I enjoy the tough matches and that’s what you practice for, to be tested in matches, and that’s what the fun is in the game.”
Despite a poor start to the season, Wade has manage to make the final four but faces a tough test against the very consistent Australia sensation Simon Whitlock (8/13 in the match betting at Totesport).
Whitlock, who won the Players Championship event in Salzburg earlier this month, finished second in the Premier League table and Taylor says the Aussie has done “brilliantly” to reach the last four.
