Auckland Darts Masters: Phil Taylor beats Raymond van Barneveld to reach semis
Phil Taylor booked his place in the semi-finals of the Auckland Darts Masters with a 10-9 victory over Raymond van Barneveld.
Auckland Darts Masters
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
James Wade 10-7 Daryl Gurney
Kyle Anderson 10-9 Simon Whitlock
Raymond van Barneveld 9-10 Phil Taylor
Corey Cadby 10-5 Michael Smith
Phil 'The Power' Taylor booked his place in the semi-finals of the Auckland Darts Masters with a 10-9 victory over old-foe Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday.
Taylor had to survive three match darts and needed a last leg decider to beat van Barneveld.
The early stages of the clash saw van Barneveld take out finishes of 116 and 121 in the opening five legs of the match as he took a 3-2 lead in to the first break.
Taylor then responded to level the score at 3-3 with a break of throw on double eight before the Dutchman found tops in the subsequent two legs to move two clear of Taylor.
Three consecutive legs followed for the Englishman as he took a 6-5 advantage and took the lead for the first time since the third leg.
Van Barneveld responded, winning four of the next five legs to move within one of a place in the semi-finals.
A hold of throw followed for Taylor to put the pressure on van Barneveld, who was unable to respond as he missed the first of three-match darts, with Taylor then pinning double ten to take the match to a deciding leg.
Two more match-darts came and went for the Dutchman in the decider as Taylor then took out 91 on double 16 to move in to the last four.
“We’ve had some great clashes over the years, me and Barney,” said Taylor.
“I still love this sport, I know it’s coming to an end for me but it still means a lot to win matches like that.
“I feel so relaxed and am just trying to enjoy as much of it as I can before I call it a day."
Taylor now faces Corey Cadby, who followed up his victory over Peter Wright with a 10-5 win against Michael Smith.
Cadby, appearing in his third World Series event, averaged 100.17 as he comfortably defeated Smith at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.
The Australian sensation, who ended Taylor’s unbeaten run in Australia at the Perth Darts Masters last year, spoke of his admiration for the 16-time World champion.
“He’s one of the best the game has ever seen. He’s beaten me before and I’ve beaten him, so this should be one hell of a game.
“I need to prepare properly but I’m really excited and can’t wait to get going tomorrow. I came to win so let’s see what we can do.”
Sky Bet make Taylor 1/4 to reach the final with Cadby an 11/4 shot to progress.
The winner of that clash will face the victor of the semi-final between Kyle Anderson (evens) and James Wade (8/11).
Wade beat Daryl Gurney 10-7, while Anderson followed up his win against namesake Gary Anderson, winning the deciding game to beat compatriot Simon Whitlock.