Mervyn King insists revenge will not factor in his Premier League final rematch with James Wade in Bournemouth on Thursday.
Mervyn King insists revenge will not be on his mind as he faces James Wade in Bournemouth on Thursday in a repeat of last year's Premier League final.
The second night of the 2010 Premier League rolls down to the South Coast and a rematch of last May's final is the highlight, with world number four King hoping to even the score with Wade.
The left-hander won the title with a 13-8 success at Wembley to deny King the trophy in his debut season - which had already yielded a semi-final win over Phil Taylor.
King enjoyed a fine opening-night win over Adrian Lewis, averaging 101, while Wade lost to Raymond van Barneveld, and King insists only the two points will be on his mind.
"There are no thoughts of revenge," said King. "The final was last year and it's gone now, so revenge doesn't even enter into things because it takes your mind off what you want to do.
Friends
"James is a fantastic player and a good friend but there's no room for sentiment - once I get up there I've got to focus on doing what I do best, and when we're up there it's war!"
Taylor defied a recent illness to beat a jet-lagged Simon Whitlock 8-3 at The O2 last week, and will need to be right on his game to beat 'The Rocket' Ronnie Baxter in Bournemouth.
"I was delighted just to win last week, because my preparation had been terrible with being ill and unable to practice, but I'm feeling a lot better now," said Taylor.
"I've been back practising this week and I'm looking forward to playing Ronnie, because it should be a really good game."
Baxter drew with Terry Jenkins last week on his return to the Premier League, and overcame Taylor in June 2009 in the final of the Las Vegas Players Championship during his rise back to sixth in the world rankings.
Battles
"To beat him last year was very nice and we've had some good battles down the years - and some one-sided battles as well!" said Baxter. "If you're not ready for Phil, he will do that to you.
"I played Phil many times and I can say I beat him a fair bit in the early years before he was a World Champion! I've known him for many years and we both know each others' game inside out - we're just opponents to each other and have to get on with the game."
The night opens with the clash between Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld, who hit a nine-darter against Peter Manley at the BIC in Bournemouth in 2006.
The night's other game sees Australian star Whitlock take on Terry Jenkins, whom he defeated in his run to the final of the World Championship in the New Year.
