Phil Taylor dumped out by Steve West in World Grand Prix of Darts
Tuesday 4 October 2016 09:12, UK
Phil Taylor's hopes of a 12th World Grand Prix of Darts crown came crashing down after a shock defeat by Steve West on Monday night.
Having previously suffered four first-round exits, few would have predicted a fifth for 'The Power', but the 56-year-old looked crestfallen as he lost 2-1.
Both players took a little while to settle but after notching the first 180 of the match, Taylor stepped up to miss double 12 on three occasions before returning to take the opening set on double six.
It was turning into a dazzling contest as Taylor piled on the pressure and looked set for a nine-darter only to mess up on the seventh. It mattered little as he made it 1-1 in the second set.
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The pair continued to trade blows and at two legs apiece, West stayed cool to rattle through a 101 checkout and force the decider.
Taylor looked increasingly unsettled and knew he was in for a huge battle when he lost the opening leg after failing to find double 14.
West pounced to take the first two legs and sniff victory, but back came the 16-time world champion with a 180 and the third leg.
As the noise levels cranked up in the Dublin arena, Taylor could not find a crucial treble and West jumped in to wrap up the contest in stunning style to check out on 62.
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen received a scare as he fought back from a set down to seal a 2-1 victory over Steve West.
But fifth seed Peter Wright could not spare himself from a 2-0 defeat to Brendan Dolan and eighth seed Michael Smith also bowed out following a 2-1 loss to Alan Norris.
Monday's first round results:
Dave Chisnall 2-1 Robbie Green
Mick McGowan 1-2 James Wilson
Mensur Suljovic 1-2 Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith (8) 1-2 Alan Norris
Joe Cullen 1-2 Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor (4) 1-2 Steve West
Michael van Gerwen (1) 2-1 Steve Beaton
Peter Wright (5) 0-2 Brendan Dolan
