Premier League Darts: Raymond van Barneveld ready for start of title defence
Thursday 5 February 2015 20:45, UK
Reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld opens the defence of his Premier League title against Adrian Lewis on Thursday night – and he admits the competition has never been tougher.
The opening night of the League will be held in Leeds with a sell-out crowd of over 10,000 fans expected at the First Direct Arena.
Following the success of last year's inaugural visit to the new venue, another night of magic darts is anticipated as the world's best tungsten masters head to Yorkshire.
The five scheduled matches include a rematch of January's World Championship final between Gary Anderson and the Phil Taylor, while world No 1 Michael van Gerwen plays Belgian debutant Kim Huybrechts.
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Van Barneveld is relishing the challenge and believes he has never been in better shape as he prepares to tackle Adrian Lewis, the current UK Open champion.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Yes tomorrow is going to a big one; 11,000 people in the crowd. I remember we were here last year for the first time and people were packed to the rafters; that is what you want. Hopefully they will be cheering my name again tomorrow.
"I am in very good form. I had a good run at the World's to the semi-final and last weekend I got to the final in Milton Keynes. Yes, I feel refreshed, I feel completely new. I am really looking forward to my 10th season in the Premier League.
"It's getting better and better. You don't have any easy games. You have got Kim Huybrechts and Stephen Bunting coming in, both very good players. Every single week is a final. You have to be mentally fit, you have to be physically fit, otherwise it's no good. They all want your scalp.
"In the last nine years, six or seven times I have reached the semi-finals so that is the first target for this year. We have a new world champion (Anderson) and he won the Premier League a couple of years ago but he has also been relegated. It just shows you how tough it is. It could happen to any of us.
"If you see 10 players and say 'pick two who are going to be relegated after nine weeks', you can't do it. They are all top class. But I am in good form so I hope I can do well against Adrian on Thursday. We will see."
