Vincent van der Voort knocks Phil Taylor out of World Grand Prix
James Wade also beaten, but Gary Anderson motors through ...
Tuesday 6 October 2015 11:23, UK
Phil Taylor's bid for a 12th World Grand Prix title ended in the first round in Dublin where he suffered a 2-0 defeat against Vincent van der Voort on Monday night.
The Dutch Destroyer made the most of every chance Taylor gave him and ensured the multiple world champion would exit in his first match in the tournament for the fourth time.
Taylor looked in prime form early in the match and came within a millimetre of a nine-darter, his effort at bullseye coming off the wire.
But it took Taylor a handful more darts to complete that leg victory, and his fragility would continue throughout the match as Van der Voort scored heavily.
And with Taylor missing a number of doubles, it was Van der Voort who progressed to the second round, where he will meet Terry Jenkins. Jenkins earlier beat Mervyn King 2-1.
"I felt so perfect in the practice room," Van der Voort told Sky Sports 1. "I'm really happy - the belly was going full circle. It's an amazing feeling."
Two former World Grand Prix finalists Jenkins and King went head-to-head on the Emerald Isle.
Jenkins, a nine-time major finalist is closing in on a top ten spot after winning a pro-tour tournament in Barnsley last week on his birthday.
King, who was wearing ear plugs, saved the match in the second set to level, but it was Jenkins who showed good form by charging through with a clinical third set.
"I've been playing absolutely brilliantly lately, but I couldn't reach that 60 tonight," said Jenkins. "I'm bashing in the 180's at the moment and if I can take my floor game up on the stage, I will get one (a major tournament) eventually."
There was also a shock when Austria's Mensur Suljovic rallied from a set down to knock out 2007 and 2010 champion James Wade 2-1.
The Englishman appeared to be in fine form in taking the opening set, but Vienna-based Suljovic took the second after Wade started to struggle with his opening doubles.
That pattern continued in the decider, although Suljovic produced some superb darts in taking it 3-0 to avenge his defeat in the quarter-finals of July's World Matchplay.
He will face Simon Whitlock next after the Australian moved into the second round with a 2-0 win over Andrew Gilding, who managed to win only one leg during a one-sided match.
A 97.89 three-dart average and consistent high scoring helped reigning World Champion Gary Anderson to a 2-0 win against his compatriot John Henderson.
Justin 'The Force' Pipe got the better of Steve Beaton 2-1 and new world No 8 Ian White progressed with a 2-0 win over Jamie Caven and Robert Thornton proved too classy for Daryl Gurney.
Watch all the second round action from Dublin on Tuesday 5 October from 7pm on Sky Sports 1.
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