Michael van Gerwen is ready to face Phil Taylor in what could be the darts legend's final ever match at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The pair face off in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay Darts on Friday night, but Van Gerwen insists he won't let the occasion phase him in pursuit of a third-straight title in the tournament.
"You need to be ruthless if you want to win this tournament," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "I need to make sure I'm prepared to face Phil, and that's the only thing that matters to me. There's a lot more in the tank and I'll need it in the next game.
"I saw Phil playing and I saw a couple of weaknesses he has at the moment. I need to make sure I take advantage of that and try to do the best and do anything I can [to win]."
Taylor, who has won the competition 15 times in the past, is set for his last Winter Gardens appearance due to his impending retirement - but Van Gerwen insists his eyes are solely on the prize.
"I'll probably play him in a couple of months anyway, so for me it doesn't [mean] anything [to face him here]," he added. "Phil is a fantastic player of course, but all the other things are just extra. I just need to focus on that game and try to beat him.
"It's a special tournament and he did well [in the past], but so have I in the last three years. I only want to perform and win this tournament, the next enemy is Phil Taylor and I need to beat him."
Taylor, meanwhile, goes into the match as the underdog but believes that he has what it takes to overhaul the world No 1.
"Michael is on form but if you get him early his head drops like a lot of the others," said The Power. "I'm going to push [in the next couple of days] and I'll be ready."
Watch all the action from the World Matchplay Darts at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event on Friday night, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV. The arrows run right through until the final on Sunday, July 30.
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