Phil Taylor will bid to win a third Perth Darts Masters title

"I've loved it in Perth before and it will be great again this week"

By Sky Sports Darts

Phil Taylor will begin his bid to win a third Perth Darts Masters title against Kyle Anderson on Friday, as Corey Cadby and Raymond van Barneveld meet once again on the World Series of Darts stage.

The 57-year-old 16-time world champion Taylor took victory in the first two years of the Perth Darts Masters in 2014 and 2015, and warmed up for his return to Western Australia by winning last weekend's Melbourne Darts Masters.

Taylor claims Melbourne title

Phil Taylor claims Melbourne Darts Masters title with 11-8 victory over Peter Wright

He will meet August's other World Series of Darts winner, Auckland Darts Masters champion Kyle Anderson, in a plum first round tie after being paired with the Perth-born star.

"It will be tough against Kyle because his confidence is up at the moment and he's a really good player," said Taylor. "I've loved it in Perth before and it will be great again this week.

"I'm looking forward to it and it's lovely in Perth, probably my favourite place in Australia so far."

Advertisement

Local hero Anderson said: "It's good to be home, I'm happy to be here.

"I've said before that if I get how I play on the floor onto TV then I can get to the end of the events and that's shown in the last couple of weeks.

Also See:

"I'm playing well and I'm looking forward to seeing my family, playing in front of friends and hearing that roar again like I have for the last four years."

Kyle Anderson wins Auckland title

Kyle Anderson won his first televised PDC title at the Auckland Darts Masters

Image: Highly-rated Cadby will take on Van Barneveld

The opening night of the World Series of Darts event will also see Australia's World Youth Champion Cadby taking on five-time World Champion Van Barneveld for a second successive weekend, having won their meeting in Melbourne 6-4.

World No 3 Peter Wright, the runner-up in Melbourne, will take on Rhys Mathewson as they meet for a second successive week, with the Scottish ace winning 6-2 last Friday.

Top seed Gary Anderson drew New Zealand's Rob Szabo, while former Perth Darts Masters finalist James Wade, the number four seed, meets qualifier Darren Hayes, who will be making his TV debut.

Perth's Adam Rowe will take on former World Youth Champion Michael Smith, while New Zealand-born Koha Kokiri faces Daryl Gurney and top-ranked Australian Simon Whitlock comes up against Justin Thompson.

Schedule of Play

Friday August 25 (7pm local time)
First Round x8

Michael Smith v Adam Rowe
Peter Wright v Rhys Mathewson
Daryl Gurney v Koha Kokiri
James Wade v Darren Hayes
Simon Whitlock v Justin Thompson
Phil Taylor v Kyle Anderson
Gary Anderson v Rob Szabo
Raymond van Barneveld v Corey Cadby
Best of 11 legs

Saturday August 26 (7pm local time)
Quarter-Finals
Best of 19 legs

Sunday August 27 (7pm local time)
Semi-Finals
Final
Best of 21 legs

The biggest names in darts will return to Dublin's Citywest Hotel from October 1-7 for the 2017 World Grand Prix and you will be able to watch all the action with us on Sky Sports, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV.

Who will win the World Grand Prix at Dublin's Citywest Hotel this year? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting @SkySportsDarts or by using the comments box below - sign in with Facebook. Follow us on Twitter & use #LoveTheDarts

Outbrain