‘Tired’ Taylor manages to power on at ‘Ally Pally’
The end may come quickly for Phil ‘‘The Power’’ Taylor, at London’s Alexandra Palace.
The 16-time champion made hard work of beating Chris Dobey 3-1 in the first round of the PDC World Championship, in what’s set to be his final appearance at this level.
Taylor, 57, took the first set 3-2 and the second 3-1. Dobey won the third before Taylor recovered from 2-1 down in the fourth to win 3-2 and claim the match.
‘‘It’s gone, the fire’s gone. I want to win, I’ve still got the fire in the belly to win, it’s just the old utensils are not working as good as they used to,’’ Taylor told the PDC afterwards.
‘‘It’s awful, it’s killing me and you know by my interviews, I have been very critical of certain players, sometimes maybe sometimes not.
‘‘I’ve been a little bit bitter and I’m gutted that I can’t play what I can, and that’s what’s killing me really. I’m really trying so hard and I can’t do what I used to do. So I’ve got to shut up now.’’
New Zealand has two competitors in the tournament.
First up is Cody Harris, who was to meet Willard Bruguier this morning in a preliminary qualifying justified match. Christchurch’s Bernie Smith then plays his own preliminary qualifier on Thursday .
Among the other early results at the ‘Ally Pally’ was a win for world No.1 Michael van Gerwen. One of the more entertaining matches so far was Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh’s 3-1 win over England’s Stephen Bunting.
But all eyes will be on Taylor, for as long as he stays in the tournament.
‘‘I haven’t practised that much to be hones. I haven’t had a lot of time. I’ve been playing, doing exhibition work and a few charity events and I’ve loved it – and I’ve been classing that as my practice,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘I lacked a bit of energy against Chris. I’m tired. I never used to be like that. I could win a tournament and then play another tournament, it’s strange. I’ve got a few days off now to get ready for the next one.’’