Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor denies there is any rift between himself and Raymond van Barneveld after the player seemed to exchange angry words when shaking hands following Taylor’s 6-4 win over the Dutchman.
Boylesports.com have Taylor at 5/6 to win, while van Barneveld is Evens
Taylor was especially relieved at the win after throwing away a chance to win 6-1 by missing two darts and allowing a storming three sets from van Barneveld only to allow the Englishman back in at 68.
Taylor celebrated before shaking van Barneveld’s hand and walked away only to be pulled back. sparking an exchange of words as Taylor left the stage.
“Nothing went on,” he said. “None of us wanted to lose that. He was brilliant there. He stuck in there.
“I said to Raymond backstage, ‘there’s nobody in this room who’s a bigger fan of you than I am’. We’re not going to fall out about anything. It’s forgotten. It’s done.”
Taylor will return to the Alexandra Palace tomorrow to face Michael van Gerwen, who overcame James Wade 6-4, in the final of the event, a player who the15-time world champion says is better than him.
“Michael is extraordinary,” he added. “I’ve never seen a dart player like him in my career. Even when I’m at my best… he’s probably better than I am at my best. He’s phenomenal.”
