TAYLOR AIMING FOR DOUBLE-IN DOZEN IN DUBLIN AS PARTYPOKER.COM WORLD GRAND PRIX KICKS OFF PHIL TAYLOR is aiming to complete his double-in dozen at the partypoker World Grand Prix as he begins his bid for a 12th title with a clash against Steve Beaton at Dublins Citywest Hotel on Monday night. Taylor has dominated the history of the unique tournament - which sees all legs needing to both begin and end with a double - by claiming 11 titles since the Sky Sports-televised World Grand Prix was introduced to the PDC calendar in 1998. The Stoke great had produced arguably his the dominant performance in the events history as he dropped only two legs in a 6-0 sets whitewash against Dave Chisnall in last years final. Having won Julys World Matchplay and World Series of Darts events in Perth and Sydney during August, the 54-year-old returns to the big stage on Monday night for a clash with former World Champion Beaton, and is in confident mood ahead of their Dublin contest. Im feeling great, said Taylor. My form is ticking over and Im ready for it, but its always tough in the first round because its the best of three sets. Youve got to start well because if you go a set down, youre in trouble. Ill be going up there and giving it my best shot because its always a great event and I love coming to Ireland. The fans come out to enjoy themselves and they look forward to this event, and theyre treated to some great darts. Mondays opening night will also feature two-time champion James Wade, who claimed the 2007 and 2010 titles at the Citywest Hotel and takes on Andy Smith in his bid to complete a double-start treble. Im pleased with how Im feeling and Im here to win the tournament this week, said Wade. A lot of people talk about the format but doubles are a strong point in my game and hopefully that will stand me in good stead this week. The tournaments three Northern Irish qualifiers, Brendan Dolan, Mickey Mansell and Daryl Gurney, are also in action on the opening night. Gurney takes on 2010 runner-up Adrian Lewis and Mansell takes on Stokes Ian White, while Dolan - the 2011 finalist who hit the first double-start nine-darter three years ago - faces resurgent Scottish ace Gary Anderson. Dolan has led his countrys darting renaissance in recent years, and is backing his fellow countrymen to make an impression in Dublin this week after he made the early running by defeating Anderson in Sundays Players Championship final at the Citywest Hotel. Its an exciting time for darts throughout Ireland, and especially in Northern Ireland, said Dolan. Weve got three representatives in the World Grand Prix this week and we made the semi-finals of the World Cup back in June. Darts is going really well over here at the moment, and particularly for myself - but youre seeing that individual players themselves are putting in a lot of extra dedication and time and have taken the leap. Dolan added: Theres lots to play for in the next few months leading up to the World Championship and I could end up having a really good year if I can have a run of form. Ive done well on the floor this year, but I was especially disappointed with how I played in the World Matchplay. I lost 10-4 to Richie Burnett and my doubles let me down, but Ive been working really hard on them coming into the World Grand Prix. Debutants Darren Webster and Andrew Gilding will kick off the tournament on Monday, with Robert Thornton taking on Justin Pipe - who won Saturdays Players Championship - and Kevin Painter playing Andy Hamilton. World Champion Michael van Gerwen then enters the fray on Tuesday as he begins his bid to follow up his 2012 World Grand Prix win with a first round clash against Dutch compatriot Vincent van der Voort. Van der Voort had been the world number ones best man at his wedding in August, but the pair will put their friendship aside as they bid to reach the last 16. Its a very difficult game because were very close friends, but well be professional and will be trying as hard as we can to get the win, said van Gerwen. Its always special coming back to Dublin and it would be great to win the World Grand Prix again. The win in 2012 was a big moment in my career and it gave me a lot of confidence to go on and win the big titles I have since. Reigning Premier League Darts champion Raymond van Barneveld, a two-time World Grand Prix runner-up, takes on number eight seed Dave Chisnall, while 2010 runner-up Mervyn King meets Wes Newton. New world number four Peter Wright plays Jamie Caven, number five seed Simon Whitlock takes on Richie Burnett and two-time Dublin finalist Terry Jenkins takes on Kim Huybrechts. Debutant Stephen Bunting, the Lakeside Champion, will face Ronnie Baxter, while Dean Winstanley faces in-form Michael Smith, who won a European Tour event in Germany last month. The second round is split across Wednesday and Thursday at the Citywest Hotel, with the quarter-finals on Friday night, the semi-finals on Saturday and the final next Sunday. Tickets for the tournament are still available and can be purchased from the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 (0)1 401 0505 or in person at the venue on the night of the event. Doors open at 6pm, with play commencing at 7pm on each night. partypoker World Grand Prix Monday October 6 (7pm-12am) First Round Darren Webster v Andrew Gilding Robert Thornton v Justin Pipe Mickey Mansell v Ian White Kevin Painter v Andy Hamilton James Wade v Andy Smith Phil Taylor v Steve Beaton Gary Anderson v Brendan Dolan Adrian Lewis v Daryl Gurney Tuesday October 7 (7pm-12am) First Round Terry Jenkins v Kim Huybrechts Peter Wright v Jamie Caven Mervyn King v Wes Newton Dean Winstanley v Michael Smith Stephen Bunting v Ronnie Baxter Michael van Gerwen v Vincent van der Voort Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld Simon Whitlock v Richie Burnett Wednesday October 8 (7pm-11pm) Second Round Lewis/Gurney v Painter/Hamilton Wade/A Smith v Thornton/Pipe Taylor/Beaton v Webster/Gilding Anderson/Dolan v Mansell/White Thursday October 9 (7pm-11pm) Second Round Wright/Caven v Bunting/Baxter Whitlock/Burnett v Jenkins/Huybrechts van Gerwen/van der Voort v Winstanley/M Smith Chisnall/van Barneveld v King/Newton Friday October 10 (7pm-11pm) Quarter-Finals Order of Play TBC Saturday October 11 (7pm-10pm) Semi-Finals Order of Play TBC Sunday October 12 (7pm-9pm) Final
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 07:03:04 +0000
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