Taylor joint-favourite for Worlds after Grand Slam win
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Phil Taylor warmed up for this year’s World Darts Championship in fine style after claiming a sixth Grand Slam of Darts title with victory over Dave Chisnall in Wolverhampton.
The Power is now the 2/1 joint favourite – from 9/4 – with Ladbrokes to win a 17th world crown alongside reigning champion and current world number one Michael van Gerwen.
Taylor, who last won the title at Alexandra Palace back in 2013, made the perfect start against Chizzy, racing into a 5-0 lead at the Civic Hall.
Chisnall, who was aiming to win a first PDC major title, pegged the Stoke-On-Trent thrower back to 10-10 as both men produced thrilling darts.
But it was the Power, who averaged over 100 in every match he played last week, who held his nerve and pulled clear to win his sixth title in Wolverhampton.
And now the 54-year-old is neck-and-neck with MVG as the one to beat in the Christmas showpiece in north London, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes.
Former World Championship semi-finalist and Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle believes Taylor is the one to beat over the festive period after Van Gerwen’s poor form in Wolverhampton.
“Phil Taylor, in my eyes, is the favourite for the World Championships,” Mardle said.
“Michael van Gerwen didn’t show very good form in this competition at all until the game in which he went out against Kim Huybrechts.
“Taylor has averaged over 100 in every single game, 114.65 against Christian Kist, he was the dominant force in this Grand Slam. He deserved that final.”
James Wade is the third in the betting for the Worlds at 10/1, while two-time champion Adrian Lewis is 11/1 alongside Scot Gary Anderson.
Last year’s BDO world champion, Stephen Bunting, who has been in eye-catching form in recent weeks, is 14/1 to make it back-to-back world titles by winning at Alexandra Palace.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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