I HAVE A DREAM
GARY ANDERSON enjoyed a big sleep after his only defeat at London’s Alexandra Palace since 2014 – but he won’t be getting done up like a kipper again.
Bravedart Anderson fell short of his bid for a hat-trick of world titles when he lost last year’s final against Michael van Gerwen in a record hail of 180s, with the Flying Scotsman hitting 22 of the 42 maximums they shared.
But as he prepared to face qualifier Jeff Smith or Luke Humphries in the William Hill PDC World Championship first round tonight, Anderson warned: “I want my trophy back.”
Anderson is the No.3 seed – and nobody will fancy playing him if the Tartanic looks unsinkable again.
He said: “One defeat in 18 games is not bad – not a lot of people can say they have a record like that at Ally Pally. But my name is on the trophy twice and I’ve earned people’s respect by achieving that. Some thought it might happen sooner but I had to wait until I was 44 to win the first one.
“I would have liked to make it three in a row – but that night in January, the night I lost to Michael in the final, was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in donkey’s years.
“It was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. It didn’t bother me one bit. But once I’m back on that stage, I will fancy my chances of lifting that trophy again.
“You have to pull out all the stops. For two or three weeks, you are holed up in a hotel where there is not a lot to do, so the best way of spending your days is to be on the practice board.
“That hotel in Brent Cross where I stay every year is where I get the most practice all year round.”
Van Gerwen, odds-on favourite with the title sponsor, eased through to the second round with a 3-1 win over Christian Kist on Thursday night.
But Anderson, who will be 47 next Friday, insisted: “Everyone is beatable. Michael slipped up once or twice in October, like when big John Henderson knocked him out of the World Grand Prix in the first round.
“When he goes on a run he is hard to stop, but all good things come to an end and that wee bubble has to burst some time. As the tournament unfolds, we’ll see how much he wants it – but I want it back.”
Anderson’s 17-match unbeaten run at Ally Pally included a thriller against 16-times champion Phil Taylor in the final – and he suspects the Power’s scheduled retirement will be short-lived.
He grinned: “This time next year, Phil will be sitting there at home, watching the world championship, and think: ‘I can still beat these boys.’ I will not be surprised if he comes back.” (12.30pm start)
Brendan Dolan v Alan
Ljubic (prelim rd); Benito van de Pas v Steve Ward; Mervyn King v Zoran Lerchbacher; Robert Thornton v Dolan/ljubic
(7pm start)
Jeff Smith v Luke Humphries (prelim rd); Joe Cullen v Jermaine Wattimena; Jelle Klaasen v Jan Dekker; Gary Anderson v Smith/humphries