The big question on everyone’s lips ahead of the eagerly awaited 2008 World Championship surrounds one Philip Douglas Taylor. Can ‘The Power’ illuminate London and win a 14th World Championship crown at the Alexandra Palace?
His preparation has been perfect, he has employed the help of a sports psychologist and he has been practicing on a special board, which has cut the size of the doubles by half!
Despite a poor year by Taylor’s own high standards, he has hit top form just at the right time – winning the last four PDC tournaments, including the first ever Grand Slam.
“I’m ready and I can’t wait,” said Taylor. “It will be the best World Championship ever and it will be extra special because we are at the Alexandra Palace, which is steeped in darts history.”
Taylor of course, has been handed the toughest possible 1st Round draw against Dutch teenager Michael Van Gerwen, who has switched off ‘The Power’ twice in TV tournaments…..the mouth-watering clash takes place on Tuesday night.
That match is one of the highlights of the 1st Round….63 matches over 12 days for the ultimate title and £100,000 – as darts ‘spiritual home’ plays host to the start of a new era for the PDC. Big crowds already guaranteed, with the sport returning to the Ally Pally nearly 25 years after those famous News of the World Championships.
Another 1st Round match to catch the eye sees 4th seed Terry Jenkins taking on youngster Kirk Shepherd in an all-Unicorn affair.
Shepherd came through five tough qualifying matches to book his place at his first TV ‘Major’ and the pair are good friends. Jenkins got the youngster tickets for this year’s Premier League Final and some people reckon Shepherd could cause an upset.
He said: “Of all the players, Terry has given me the most support and encouragement, so in a way, it’s a shame we are playing against each other. I know that I’ll have to bring my ‘A’ game to the stage but I am up for it, that’s for certain!”
American left-hander Ray Carver is the first Unicorn player in action, when he bids for a huge upset against the popular Wayne Mardle on opening night, while on Tuesday, Peter Manley will be hoping to avoid a shock against Dutch youngster Toon Greebe. Unicorn’s German star Michael Rosenauer makes his debut in the World Championship against the highly-fancied Mervyn King.
That Jenkins/Shepherd clash is on Wednesday, when six other Team Unicorn players start their bids for World Championship glory. The other highlight of day three features the in-form Kevin Painter against the in-form Gary Mawson – another all Unicorn battle.
Wes Newton plays qualifier Jamie Caven, Barrie Bates faces Canadian Gerry Convery, Bob Anderson – in his 25th World Championship – takes on Jason Clark, while Mick McGowan will have to rediscover his form against fellow Irishman Jason Barry.
On Thursday, it is the turn of Grand Slam runner-up Andy Hamilton to take centre stage against Dutchman Leroy Kwadijk and Adrian Lewis should prove too strong for Dave Askew. World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld enters the fray and he will surely have no problems when he plays either Akihiro Nagakawa from Japan or Anthony Forde of Barbados.
The 1st Round is completed on Friday, when James Wade – the bookies third favourite – plays Australian Steve MacArthur, John Part takes on South African Charles Losper and Colin Osborne will play either Alan Bolton of New Zealand or Holland’s Erwin Extercatte.
As always, you will be able to follow all the action right here on the Unicorn website. There will be daily updates, blogs and all the news from the Alexandra Palace….and every dart will be ‘live’ on Sky Sports starting on December 17 at 7pm.
BY STUART PYKE
