Chris Dobey eyes upset against Phil Taylor ahead of World Darts Championship opener
Friday 15 December 2017 18:13, UK
Chris Dobey believes he is capable of causing a surprise against Phil Taylor when the pair meet in the first round of the World Darts Championship on Friday.
All eyes will be on Taylor at Alexandra Palace when Dobey faces the 16-time World Champion, who is making a final competitive appearance in the sport.
Dobey, one of the game's rising stars, will be a huge underdog in the meeting but the world No 38 is in relaxed mood ahead of the encounter, live on Sky Sports Darts.
The world No 38, who is nicknamed 'Hollywood', told Sky Sports News: "I am just feeling the same as I always feel. No pressure - I have got nothing to lose. I have just got to focus on my own (game) and just perform on the night and hopefully it goes OK.
"Everybody's eyes are on Phil Taylor with it being his last competition. I am just going to come here without any nerves and just get on with what I do and hopefully get a result."
Taylor is looking to bow out of darts in a blaze of glory but Dobey, who reached the second round on his World Championship debut last year, hopes to upset the odds.
"It will be quite a feeling if that (beating Taylor) happens but it is quite possible," said Dobey. "I am feeling confident and practice is going well.
"I am playing all right so my form is coming back and if it keeps going on up and up then he will have a game on his hands."
Dobey admitted Taylor was among a number of his inspirations as he was progressing through the ranks and he is looking forward to the challenge of facing one of the sport's greats.
"He (Taylor) was one of a few," said Dobey, who has lost both his previous meetings against 'The Power'. "There was Steve Beaton - he is still playing and there was also Dennis Priestley.
"They were the three main ones with Phil. I have only just started the game really. I am learning every game so this will be a big experience for myself. Hopefully it will be a good one."
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