Taylor powers to Grand Slam title
Taylor has now won every Grand Slamof Darts since it was introduced in 2007
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Monday, 23, Nov 2009 12:01
By Darren Plant.
Phil Taylor breezed to a third Grand Slam of Darts title after demolishing Scott Waites 16-2 in the final.
'The Power' was a big favourite going into the final and he duly delivered with a comprehensive display that left Waites floundering.
He nearly finished the match with a perfect nine dart leg, but he pulled his ninth dart just below the double 12 wire.
Referring to his near miss for a nine darter, Taylor said: "I very nearly did the same at the European Championships last month to win the final leg in the final, so I am gutted to come so close again tonight."
Despite handing Waites a heavy defeat, Taylor believes his opponent can be proud of his run to the final.
"Scott can be very proud of his performances this week.
"His half of the draw was tough, but he came through everyone.
"Even tonight, even though he was way behind, he never gave in and he continued to be aggressive."
Taylor opened the match with an 80 checkout for a 14 dart leg.
He then capitalised on missed doubles from Waites to move 3-0 up, before hitting a 180 on the way to a 12 dart leg for 4-0.
Waites took his first leg of the match with a 105 checkout to suggest he may play more than just a supporting role in another Taylor demolition, but Taylor proceeded to take the next three legs for a 7-1 lead.
Waites took what turned out to be his last leg of the match in the ninth, after Taylor had missed two darts at a double, but a missed dart at double ten in the next leg saw Taylor regained his six leg cushion.
After taking three more legs for an 11-2 lead, Taylor produced an impressive 170 checkout for a 12 dart leg that had the Wolverhampton crowd on their feet.
Both players then had further attempts at the highest checkout - both missing the bullseye - but it was still Taylor that took each leg to move one away from the title.
He came as close as he possibly could to rounding off a terrific tournament with the ideal conclusion.
Two 180s left him needing to checkout 141 for the perfect leg, but after hitting treble 20 with his seventh dart and treble 19 with his eighth, his ninth dart has agonisingly short of the double 12 bed, but he took out double six at the next time of asking for a ten dart leg to cap off a devastating display.