Thursday 8 October 2015 12:58, UK
Phil Taylor’s shockingly early World Grand Prix exit proves he is no longer guaranteed to succeed when the pressure is cranked up, says Wayne Mardle.
'The Power' crashed out of the Dublin tournament that he has won 11 previous times at the first hurdle on Monday night when Vincent van der Voort inflicted a 2-0 defeat.
Sky Sports expert Mardle predicted Taylor could struggle last week because his ability to hit doubles, a vital commodity at the World Grand Prix, is diminishing.
"Phil kept missing at crucial moments," Mardle told Sky Sports after Van der Voort's shock win.
"Throughout the last 20-25 years, what has he done? He's punished every mistake from an opponent. He's not punishing those mistakes anymore.
"Whether it be the one, two or three-dart finishes, he's not taking them out. But what he's also not doing, from 172 or 181, he's not leaving a two-darter, he's leaving a three-darter.
Throughout the last 20-25 years, what has he done? He's punished every mistake from an opponent. He's not punishing those mistakes anymore.
"He's still as good as ever - but just not as often. He's playing well but he can't win because the likes of Vincent are at it now, they're brilliant players."
Mardle heaped praise on Van der Voort, the Dutch veteran who may have just enjoyed his grandest moment on the oche at Taylor's expense.
It was the calmness shown by the Netherlands thrower than eventually got him over the edge, Mardle believes.
He said: "Van der Voort, in every big moment in that match against Taylor, he was the one.
"Every question Phil asked of him, he had the answer. Phil missed the double in what was the last leg to say, 'Vincent, can you take out the 48?'
"He's probably never played better on that stage, and he's done it against the best player in the world, ever!"
The notoriously treacherous opening fixtures at the World Grand Prix traditionally produce shocks because of the short, quick-paced format and the rule that players must begin with a double.
But Mardle believes that the underdogs, particularly Mensur Suljovic, who dumped out two-time winner James Wade, deserve credit.
"The players that have gone out, Taylor and Wade and a few of the others like Peter Wright, have all played well," he said.
"You've just got to commend the likes of Suljovic.
"I've never seen someone getting such a battering, which is what James was doing to him, and just think 'this is a new set, I'll carry on'.
"The way he responded to what Wade was doing was something we've never seen from Mensur before and I just thought that was incredible."
Watch the World Grand Prix second round on Tuesday at Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm.
