Matchplay Darts: Five lessons

Michael van Gerwen denied Phil Taylor a 16th World Matchplay title on Sunday night, but what did we learn from our week in Blackpool?

Blackpool is still Taylor’s best bet

Taylor’s hopes of ending his drab run without a trophy should remain centred around the World Matchplay, despite falling at the final hurdle on Sunday night. He has a stunning record at the tournament, with 15 titles since 1994 and just eight defeats in 101 matches in that time.

Blackpool is still the likeliest location for Taylor to end a major hoodoo that dates back to exactly two years ago, when he beat Van Gerwen in the 2014 Matchplay final. A lot has happened in those two years.

The concern is that, even on his favourite patch under a format that he has historically dominated, he is still chasing Van Gerwen’s shadow. Will we ever see Taylor win another major?

MVG a tough nut to crack

Yet another trophy tells us nothing we did not already know about Van Gerwen’s prodigious ability – he is on course to become darts’ greatest ever player and even Taylor acknowledged his brilliance. But we did witness something about the Dutchman that doesn’t crop up too often.

Taylor, perhaps …

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