Phil Taylor admits he's been 'lucky' to reach World Darts Championship final against Rob Cross

  • 01/01/2018
'The Power' is aiming to win his 17th world title in his final match as a professional.
'The Power' is aiming to win his 17th world title in his final match as a professional. Photo credit: Getty Images

Legendary darts player Phil 'The Power' Taylor will be aiming to end his career in the best way possible by winning the World Darts Championship trophy on Tuesday morning (NZ time).

In what will be his final match as a professional, Taylor is looking to beat first-time finalist Rob Cross to win his 17th Sid Waddell trophy at the age of 57.

Cross qualified for the final by stunning Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in a sudden-death thriller.

It is a different story for Taylor, who won his first world title back in 1990 - the same year that Cross was born.

However, Taylor admits playing in the final to end his magical career will be special, but he admits he has been lucky along the way.

"At face value, getting to a world championship final at 57 is my greatest achievement of all. But, when you look at what's happened over the past two weeks, maybe I've just been lucky," Taylor told The Mirror.

"All the big seeds have fallen by the wayside, and now Michael has gone, too.

"Let's be honest: I'm not the best player in the tournament. I'm too old and too tired now. I've just been picking up the pieces and capitalising on other people's mistakes.

"My opponents have been under a bit of pressure because they know it's my last tournament and don't want to be the bad guy who sends me packing.

"Can I tell you a secret? I've never really believed I can win this tournament. And I still don't think I'm going to win it - but I am going to enjoy it."

The final will be played on Tuesday morning (NZ time).

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