Gary Anderson concedes that younger rivals are catching up 'every year'
Monday 5 March 2018 19:05, UK
Gary Anderson admitted that winning trophies is "getting harder" as the next generation of players gather pace.
The two-time world champion won the UK Open at the weekend, his first major TV title since 2016, beating 22-year-old Corey Cadby in the final.
"It's fantastic for me," said Anderson. "I've come here to win the tournament and managed to do it, and it's great.
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"In the last three games I've been lucky - it's been a struggle. Corey is good and I've got a lot of time for him, he's a class act.
"I knew exactly what to expect and he's going to be about for a long, long time. It's getting harder every year with all the youngsters coming through and they'll take it in their stride."
Anderson had lost his previous five major finals since winning the 2016 World Darts Championship.
Australia's Cadby added: "I'm only young, I've got a lot to learn and I'm pretty happy to make the final. I'm not happy to be runner-up but I'll take it.
"I gave everything but you've got to hit the doubles at crucial times, you can't afford to miss and Gary came through and won."
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen had previously been beaten by Jeffrey de Zwaan at the same tournament.
The 2018 Premier League heads to the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Thursday with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event from 9.45pm. Ten weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
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