Philip Taylor and James Wade – the two most successful players in the history of the Professional Darts Corporation – will clash in the final of the 2011 World Matchplay in Blackpool.
It should be a mouth-watering all Unicorn Final at the Winter Gardens.
Wade was too good for a disappointing Adrian Lewis, while Taylor again averaged over 100 in his win over Andy Hamilton.
World Champion Lewis was strangely subdued as Wade took full advantage, continuing his dominance in TV clashes between the pair.
We all kept waiting for Lewis to fire into action, but it just never happened and a 91 average was never going to get close to Wade.
“Not my best performance by a long way,” admitted Wade. “But it was good enough to get the win, although I know that I will have to improve ten fold against Phil in the final. I have always wanted to beat Phil in a ‘Major’ and now is my chance.”
Both players made a pedestrian start….Wade led 3-2 and 6-4, with the highlight being Lewis’ 126 finish on the bull.
Then came five crucial legs that changed the match completely, because Wade won them all, including a fantastic 170 finish, and 11 darter and a 12 darter and all of a sudden he raced into a 10-4 advantage.
It was always going to be too much for Lewis…..no heroic comeback this time.
Lewis won a couple of legs to get it back to 13-8 but three on the bounce for Wade took him to the verge of victory at 16-8.
The World Champion won a couple more, including one 11 dart leg, but those flashes of inspiration were few and far between and it was left to Wade to provide the big moment, as he hit the bull for a fantastic 127 check-out to seal an impressive win.
In the end, a 95 average was enough for Wade…..and 24 missed darts at doubles tells its own story for Lewis.
Taylor was pushed all the way, as Hamilton gave it a real go and the 17-9 scoreline doesn’t really reflect how well ‘The Hammer’ played.
“I have to be happy with the way things are going,” Taylor said. “I love this tournament, this is my title and I am determined not to let it go!”
“Andy is a great player and he proved it again but this is the best I have felt for a long while,” Taylor added.
Hamilton wasn’t too disappointed. “Why should I be?” he said. “It has been a great week. I have beaten Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock, reached the Matchplay semi-finals, pushed Phil Taylor all the way, won £25,000 and am now up to No.11 in the world…..that is a great achievement for me!”
‘The Power’ raced into a 6-2 lead, despite three 180s from Hamilton, who just wouldn’t go away! A 121 finish on the bull and a 5th maximum to break and it was back to 6-4.
But Taylor kept winning the mini sessions 3-2 to frustrate Hamilton, who was certainly giving as good as he got…..he banged in three more maximums to get it back to only one leg behind at 9-8…..Taylor was averaging 109 but ‘The Hammer’ was on 102 and right in the semi-final at this stage.
However, that is when things changed…..three legs on the spin from ‘The Power’ and when he was 14-9 in front, Hamilton’s last opportunity came and went.
He missed two darts at double in consecutive legs and then a dart at the bull for a 167 in the next. Taylor responded brilliantly, with finishes of 119 and 121 on the bull and that was that!
He sealed victory on ‘tops’ with a 105.59 average…..Hamilton’s end average was just shy of 100 and he hit 10x180s but couldn’t quite put enough pressure on Taylor at the vital times in the match.
Semi-Final results:
Phil Taylor 17-9 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 10-17 James Wade
Sunday Final (best of 35 legs):
Phil Taylor v James Wade
By STUART PYKE in Blackpool (twitter @stuartpykesport)
Photos courtesy Chris Sargeant and Lawrence Lustig / PDC