Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Power Failure Opens Up World Darts Championship

Phil Taylor crashed out of the PDC World Darts Championship at the last 32 stage last night after a 4-1 defeat against Dave “Chizzee Rascal” Chisnall. Without trying to take anything away from Chisnall’s achievement Taylor was far from his best – he uncharacteristically hit the 5 and the 1 a number of times and his finishing on double top was pretty woeful by and professionals standard, never mind the extremely high standards we have come to expect from Taylor over the years.

The departure of Taylor who was around evens to win the tournament has well and truly opened the door for a new World Champion. Of the players left in the competition only John Part and Adrian Lewis have won the world championship in the past and based on the performances of Lewis against Nigel Heydon and Robert Thornton I’m not convinced he has what it takes to retain the crown this year, if you disagree Lewis can be backed at 11/2. Part meanwhile is more of an outsider (currently best priced 40/1) and has so far beaten John Henderson and Richie Burnett en route to the last 16. Part has a tough task on his hands if he is to make the semi-final – he faces the in-form Kevin Painter in the round of 32 and then could meet James Wade in the quarter final.

Following his shock win over Phil Taylor last night Dave Chisnall has come in to 9/1 to win the championship, before the tournament began he was 66/1 – what a difference a couple of weeks can make. Chizzy will face Andy Hamilton in the third-round before a potential clash with Paul Nicholson in the quarter final, also in this half is bookies favourite Gary Anderson (4/1). In Anderson, Chisnall, Nicholson and even Simon Whitlock I believe we have four men who could genuinely win the World Championship.

My pick to win the crown from here however is James Wade. Priced at 13/1 at the start of the tournament Wade is now 5/1 – he faces Steve Farmer next before a match-up with Part or Painter, crucially I feel if he can get to the semi-final he’ll have an easier route to the final than whoever triumphs in the other half of the draw. If he makes it that far his semi-final opponent will be one of Wayne Jones, Adrian Lewis, Justin Pipe or Terry Jenkins and while these players all have ability I feel Wade on top of his game is better than any of the other players listed when they too are at their best.

Whatever happens from here we are guaranteed an exciting climax to the tournament, I for one am pleased Phil Taylor has gone out as the programming will no longer be 90% Taylor hype. A number of players will now feel this is the best chance they’ve ever had to win the title, Wade at 5/1, Painter at 22/1 and Chizzy at 9/1 are my picks from here. 

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