For the second consecutive year, Unicorn superstars Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld will clash in the final of the World Grand Prix! 12 months ago, Taylor took the crown with a six sets to two victory and he is favourite to win on Sunday in Dublin….but if anyone can stop him, it must be Barney!
The Dutchman broke away to see off Andy Hamilton, while ‘The Power’ was forced to produce some great darts to beat a resilient Terry Jenkins.
“It’s great to be in the final,” said Barney. “But I will have to play much better in the final, that’s for sure. I have to be pleased to get to the final after nine weeks away but now I want to win it.”
It’s over two years since his last TV ‘Major’ win – July 2007 in Las Vegas.
Taylor said: “It was hard work. Terry kept coming back at me. The final should be great. I always love playing Barney and I want that 9th World Grand Prix title.”
Taylor was out of the traps, racing through the opening two sets but credit to Jenkins, who simply refused to lie down and surrender.
He won the third set after Taylor had missed three darts to take it….the first set ‘The Power’ had lost all week at the WGP.
It was business as usual as Taylor moved 4-1 ahead, including a 146 finish to win that fourth set but back came ‘The Bull’ with some brilliant darts to win the fifth set without reply.
However, it was only a matter of time and Taylor sealed his 5-2 win with D5 and an end average of 99.76
Barney’s semi-final with Hamilton was a real battle, as the Unicorn pair traded some heavy blows. They shared the first four sets but that’s when it all changed.
Barneveld found an extra gear but he was helped by Hamilton’s missed doubles. He raced into a 4-2 lead and then back-to-back 180s helped him take control of the 7th set, before D5 took the match.
It should be some final!
Semi-Final results:
Raymond van Barneveld 5-2 Andy Hamilton
Final:
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld (best of 11 sets)
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy PDC / Lawrence Lustig
