PHIL TAYLOR 2-1 PETER WRIGHT

PHIL TAYLOR 2-1 PETER WRIGHT
(1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR overcame a huge scare against Peter Wright before beginning his challenge for a tenth PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix title with a 2-1 victory at the New Citywest Convention Centre.

The world number one has been defeated three times previously in the quick-fire first round in the double-start event, and when Wright took the opening set and led 1-0 in the second, a fourth early exit began to seem a possibility.

But Taylor hit back superbly to take the set 3-1 before finding top gear in winning the final set by the same scoreline, completing victory with a showpiece 164 checkout.

Wright punished a slow start from Taylor, who missed five opening doubles in the first leg, by hitting a 180 only to then miss double six and three to lead as the world number one landed double 14 for the opening leg.

But Wright levelled with a superb 115 checkout, despite a 180 from Taylor, and then took out 101 to lead 2-1.

The pair traded maximums in the fourth, but when Taylor missed three darts at double eight Wright took out 76 on tops for the set.

He landed another 180 and double top to move 1-0 up in set two, with Taylor coming to life with an 11-darter which levelled the set.

Double ten edged him ahead, and he hit scores of 177 and 180 before a double 16 checkout saw him square the match at one set apiece.

Wright posted a maximum and double top to lead in the deciding set, but Taylor crucially levelled with a 64 finish and opened the third leg with a 160 score.

Wright replied with another 180, but tops gave Taylor a 2-1 advantage before he sealed victory in style by powering in a 164 checkout.

"Peter's set me up for the tournament because he really made me work hard there," said Taylor. "He went up on stage and played the game we know he can produce because he's a dangerous player.

"He hit the 180s at the right time and was fantastic, but when I was a set down and a leg down I thought I was going out again, but I really dug in.

"The first round's a nightmare because it's a big leveller, and the standard is so high now that anyone is capable of a shock - but I'm glad I wasn't the victim!"

Lowestoft's Wright said: "I felt more comfortable than I ever have done before on stage, and I'm learning all the time. You never think you've beaten Phil until the last double goes in, and his 164 was fantastic."

Match Stats

Phil Taylor	2-1	Peter Wright
19	100+	14
8	140+	8
4	180	5
34.09	Ave1	31.02
102.26	Ave3	93.05
3	Breaks of Throw	2
164	High Finish	115,101
12/29 - 41%	Starting Doubles	12/32 - 38%
7/16 - 44%	Finishing Doubles	5/7 - 71%