Taylor justifies favourite tag to claim 16th world title
Advertorial Feature
The 2013 PDC World Darts Championships provided few shocks in a tournament that was ultimately won by the favourite – Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. After conceding the title to Adrian Lewis for the previous two years, Taylor rediscovered his best form to beat Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in the final.
Van Gerwen himself was the find of the tournament although he had made a breakthrough by winning his first major trophy in 2012. The Dutchman was widely expected to make it through to the quarter finals but few gave him a chance of beating reigning champion Lewis when he got there.
Lewis was 10/1 with most bookmakers to retain his trophy before the tournament began but he disappointed his fans by exiting at the hands of Van Gerwen in a tight 5-4 game.
Like Lewis, another man who underachieved was Andy Hamilton who was seen as a popular outside bet at 30/1 to claim the title. The Hammer also made it through to the quarters but surrendered tamely to Taylor in a one-sided match.
One man to defy the odds was James Wade who had been horribly out of form for much of 2012 after experiencing health issues. The machine was ranked at 20/1 with most bookmakers but improved as the tournament went on. Ultimately, it was a surprise to many when Wade went down 6/4 to Van Gerwen in the semi-final.
Raymond van Barneveld’s year was similar to Wade’s in many ways but he too defied the odds to reach the semi-finals. Barney would have been second favourite to beat Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock on the way to that semi but he returned to his best form to brush both men aside.
There were no real upsets in the first round as all the higher ranked players came through their ties quite comfortably. The second round produced some surprises however and much was expected of Newcastle born Aussie Paul Nicholson. The man known as ‘The Asset’ was expected to beat Robert Thornton in that second round but went out to a 4-3 scoreline.
In turn, Thornton was expected to offer Phil Taylor a challenge in the next round but the eventual champion sailed through by four sets to nil on his way to the final.
Van Gerwen’s emergence was the most remarkable, having beaten Wade, Lewis, Colin Lloyd, Peter Wright and Paul Lim. After showing great form, he tested Taylor by taking an early lead but the Power proved why he’s the world’s best as he went on to claim his sixteenth title.
Ladbrokes are set to sponsor the PDC World Darts Championships one again in 2014 and will continue to provide Blackjack, poker and other casino gaming alongside a great set of odds on a wide range of sports markets.
The PDC World Darts Championship was sponsored by Ladbrokes, a name synonymous with sports betting but there is much more to this famous name. You can bet on all the major sporting events but their renowned casino offers games such as Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and much more at Ladbrokes.com
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North
