Grand Slam of Darts semis: Taylor and Barney set for showdown
Published:
Holly Thackeray | November 14, 2015
Semi-finals: Second half of draw
- Grand Slam of Darts
- Sunday, November 15th
- Semi-final play begins: 13:15-16:00 GMT
- Final begins: 19:00-21:00 GMT
- Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
- Live on Sky Sports 1 and 2
A tale of two old foes: Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor
For viewing information, the star-studded semi-final scuffles will take place between 13:15 and 16:00 GMT on Sky Sports 2, before play switches over to Sky Sports 1 from 19:00-21:00 for the grand finale, with a three hour break in between the two televised sessions. Readers can also take a gander at our preview of the first semi-final fixture between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith.
Second up to the oche on Sunday afternoon will be two rivals more than familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, as Barney and The Power are pitted against each other for the 72nd time here. Which of the two tungsten legends will triumph this time?
Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor
Taylor (13/8 to retain the Grand Slam title) remains evergreen on the oche and demolished quarter-final opponent and recent World Grand Prix victor Robert Thornton in sublime style to secure safe passage to this stage.
The Stoke-born superstar clocked-up an average of 104.18 in his emphatic 16-7 dismantling of his fellow Englishman and, having hit an excellent eight 180s in that encounter, Taylor can be backed at a terrific 6/4 to notch most maximums again, or evens to bag the first of the match.
Watch The Power sing his own walk-on song:
An emphatic win for @philtaylor here in Wolves. Why not celebrate with a victory dance to The Power's walk on song?
https://t.co/vtV3eIJsci
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 13, 2015
However, Barney may be more than happy to see his opponent speed ahead in the maximums stakes and instead focus his fine finishing on the doubles.
Speaking after his own impressive quarters showing, in which he stylishly defeated Mark Webster with a bundle of ruthless checkouts, Van Barneveld said: “He hit ten 180s but you prefer to hit doubles and mine went in big-time tonight.
“It was my night tonight and maybe it’s my week because I feel comfortable and I’m happy with the way I’m playing,” added the Dutchman after his deadly display.
“I was so tired at the end but I’m not used to playing long games like this in the quarter-finals at the moment! I’ll get plenty of rest on Saturday and prepare for Sunday now.”
Watch Barney and Taylor get heated onstage at the 2013 World Championship:
Last time these two legends met in a Grand Slam semi-final in 2009, Taylor emerged triumphant, but Barney has had the better of recent battles, recently doing a Premier League double over his peer and winning three of their past four frays.
Back to playing some of his best darts in this tournament, the Dutch fan favourite is tempting at 3/1 to thrill the Barney Army with a win and, should veteran Van Barneveld push past The Power, he is also a generous 11/1 price to take home a second Grand Slam trophy.
Relevant
Read much more on the Grand Slam in our darts archive
