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Breakfast with Phil

7:00 am 9:00 am

Current show

Breakfast with Phil

7:00 am 9:00 am

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Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor & Raymond van Barneveld win World Matchplay openers

Written by on 24/07/2017

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld set up a World Matchplay tie after winning first-round matches on Sunday.

Taylor began his final World Matchplay challenge with a 10-5 win against Gerwyn Price, before Van Barneveld beat Joe Cullen 10-8 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Fifteen-time champion Taylor will retire at the conclusion of the next World Championship, making this Matchplay his final chance to extend his own trophy-laden legacy.

Taylor hit early 106 and 151 finishes to eradicate any nerves and, although Price impressed with a 170 finish on the bullseye, he was unable to inflict the legend’s ninth all-time defeat at the tournament.

Van Barneveld appeared to be cruising at 8-3 but Cullen won five of the next six legs. But his run couldn’t last, and when Cullen missed double 10 to make it 9-9, Van Barneveld eliminated him.

Alan Norris beat Kim Huybrechts 10-6 owing to winning eight consecutive legs, while Dave Chisnall defeated Mervyn King 10-7.

Mensur Suljovic thrashed John Henderson 10-4 in Sunday’s afternoon session, after Daryl Gurney beat Benito van de Pas 11-9. Cristo Reyes dominated 10-3 against Robert Thornton and Justin Pipe beat Jelle Klaasen 10-5.

(c) Sky News 2017: Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor & Raymond van Barneveld win World Matchplay openers