Adrian Lewis has shed light on his Premier League nine-darter
Wednesday 27 April 2016 09:46, UK
Adrian Lewis has joked that his nine-darter will result in Phil Taylor hitting two of his own on Thursday night.
Live Premier League Darts
Lewis struck the perfect last week in the Premier League en route to a 7-5 win against James Wade, ending a four-year drought for a nine-darter at the competition.
He now expects his Stoke mentor Taylor to prove his notorious competitive streak by hitting a pair of his own nine-darters as the Premier League heads to Bournemouth on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
I knew I wouldn't miss the double 12. After seven darts I fancied it.
"You know what Phil's like - he'll try and hit two!" Lewis told Sky Sports. "I hit one in the practice room against Phil before I went on last week. That showed me I was playing well so I just had to build on that.
"I started with a 180, then a 177 - then I thought 'right, come on now'. Then the next one went in, and I knew I wouldn't miss the double 12. After seven darts I fancied it.
"I'd never hit one in the Premier League so that was a special moment for - it's another achievement."
Lewis insists the format of the Premier League does not always lend itself to players hitting nine-darters, having become the first player since Simon Whitlock in 2012 to complete the shot.
But this week his focus is on playing twice against Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen as he tries to book his spot in the play-offs.
"It's a short format so it's hard to settle down," Lewis said. "The crowd are loud which makes it harder to focus. There's been a few missed over the last few years on a double.
"Phil and Michael have had great seasons but I have to beat Barney first on Thursday. If I can beat Michael too, that will put me ahead of him with a couple of weeks until the play-offs."
Watch Premier League Darts on Thursday on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm, or watch live for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV.
