Dubai: Record 16-time darts world champion Phil Taylor said he saw his old self in world No.1 Michael Van Gerwen after falling to an 11-8 defeat to the Dutchman in Friday’s Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters final at Dubai Tennis Stadium.
Van Gerwen pulled 4-2 ahead before Taylor won the next four legs to come back 6-4. However the resurgent Dutchman fought back, winning five consecutive legs from 8-6 down to win 11-8, securing his third consecutive Coffee Pot trophy to remain unbeaten in the emirate.
The Dutchman had proved to be the ‘King of Comebacks’ earlier in the tournament returning from 4-1 down against both Raymond Van Barneveld in the quarter-final and Adrian Lewis in the semi-final to eventually win those respective ties 10-8 and 11-9.
Taylor said watching Van Gerwen’s heroics reminded him of years gone by. “He’s a special kid, this lad,” said the waning English darts legend. “I never thought anyone would replicate what I’ve done but this lad is doing what I used to do, he’s bullying people, he hits the right shot at the right time and it upsets you as a player because you don’t know how he’s done it.
“It’s like throwing a punch and hitting the door and having him knock you out with the next one. He’s a phenomenal player and I really love playing him. I think me and him will have a lot of battles over the next few months because I’m playing well again.”
Van Gerwen said that beating Taylor to seal his Dubai hat-trick couldn’t be any more symbolic, and credited the character he had shown to come from behind in all three matches.
“To beat Phil in a final is always the most powerful thing you can do,” said the Dutchman. “The old man on the block who has been there for years, to beat him in the final is amazing.
“I was 4-2 up but then he played phenomenal darts, I missed a few shots mid-game, he did too at the end where it matters most, but I didn’t.
“This year has been the hardest for me, having to beat Raymond [Van Barneveld] in the first round, Aidy [Adrian Lewis] in the second, and Phil in the final, I can’t expect any more, I’m delighted.
“Every game was so difficult for me, it was hard work because everyone played so well, so it’s going to be difficult no question.
“I’m really proud with the way I came back in all three matches. It means my mind is set and my focus is really good at the moment and my confidence as well. I want to keep that going for the next tournament.”
Taylor got his first ever win in Dubai, getting past the opening round for the first time in three attempts with a 10-5 victory over Peter Wright, before an 11-3 win over current world and premier league champion Gary Anderson in the semi-final. But he couldn’t keep it going against Van Gerwen.
“It wasn’t so much Michael winning but me throwing it away towards the end,” added Taylor. “When I was 8-7 up, missing those doubles killed me; that’s what broke my heart, but I’ve got to take it as a positive, I’ve not played this well before in Dubai so I’m looking forward to next year.”
