‘LEWIS HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO CAUSE A STIR ON THE BIG STAGE’

DARTS legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor reckons Adrian Lewis could reach the final of the PDC William Hill World Championship.

Lewis launches his bid for the biggest prize in darts tomorrow night against the promising Ted Evetts, who beat Simon Stevenson 3-0 in the opening round.

Lewis has claimed the title twice before, but not since 2012 and much has happened since then.

He crashed out of the top 16 after being struck down by illness, but in recent months, the 33-year-old from Cross Heath has climbed back and according to Taylor, Lewis could shake up the world at Alexandra Palace.

“He’s young enough, and talented enough, to come good again,” said ‘The Power.’

“He’s won two world titles, for heaven’s sake – you don’t become a bad player overnight. I think he’ll be dangerous this year because it’s a belting draw. If Aidy gets his head on right, he could make the final.

“You’ve got some cracking players in that quarter of the draw, and on any night they could knock each other out, so they are going to be nervous about getting over the first hurdle, thinking about what lies ahead.

“Adrian has got the game – whether he’s got the game in his head at the minute, I don’t know. He’s had about six months of changing his darts and flights, but if he’s used the last couple of months well to settle down, he might come in under the radar.”

Sixteen-time world champion Taylor says he hasn’t heard from Lewis recently, but said: “He’s got his own family, he’s his own man and he’s a grown-up soldier. If he calls, I’d love to hear from him.”

Manager Keith Deller says Lewis is in the mood to conquer the world again. Deller, BDO World champion in 1983 following an unforgettable win over Eric Bristow in the final at Jollees in Longton, said: “Adrian has got a good chance of going all the way this year. “He’s won it twice before and that’s massive. He knows the pressure of winning the title when he was the defending champion – and not many have done that. “It’s a big thing to know you’ve done it before. “Adrian is a big-game player and the signs are he is getting back to where he was. “He is practising really hard and tells me he can’t wait to get up there and play. It shows that he’s confident.

“He’s too good not to win major titles again. People tell me he’s inconsistent, but in the last few months Adrian has climbed from number 22 to 15 in the world, so he’s heading in the right direction.

“That shows he’s playing well and believing in himself because the standard is higher now. Adrian knows he can do it again.

“He’s had a few setbacks, but over the next couple of years, he will be winning majors again.”

Ian White, beaten in the second round by Gerwyn Price 12 months ago, is in second-round action on Friday night, against Devon Petersen after the South African scraped past Wayne Jones 3-2 on Monday night.

Jones missed six chances to win the match in the deciding leg and at the eighth attempt, Petersen found the match winner.

Adrian has won two world titles, he will be dangerous this year in the draw.