Max Baulcomb reports from the Scotsman’s first world title win…
Gary Anderson is the 2015 PDC World Darts Champion after defeating Phil Taylor 7-6 in an epic final at Alexandra Palace.
In a match full of drama, Anderson claimed his first world title after hitting double 12 in a deciding set. Taylor wasn’t at his ruthless best, missing double after double, in particular double 8, which cost him at key moments during the match.
It was tight and tense right from the start as the opening set went to a deciding leg which Anderson took with a superb 121 checkout on the bull. Anderson looked set to take a 2-0 lead after winning the first two legs in the second set but Taylor rallied back winning the next three legs, which included a 10-darter, to level the match at 1-1.
Anderson quickly restored his lead after comfortably winning the third set 3-1. During the set Anderson hit the 604th 180 of the tournament which broke the previous record for 180s in a professional darts tournament.
Taylor’s double trouble began in the fourth set as he missed nine darts at the double which allowed ‘The Flying Scotsman’ to hit double 18 to break throw. Anderson then held his own throw to take the set and lead 3-1.
‘The Power’ was far from finished as he fought back in the fifth hitting an 11 darter to take the set 3-0. Taylor was starting to look dominant and he levelled up the match in quick fashion as he took the sixth set with another whitewash.
Taylor’s power surge continued as he won a third straight set to take the lead for the first time 4-3. Taylor had the chance to take a commanding 5-3 lead but he missed three darts at double 12 which allowed Anderson to stop the rot and level the match once again at 4-4.
The ninth set began in bizarre circumstances as Anderson looked to have a hit a 180 but all three of his darts fell out of the board. To compound his misery Taylor then hit a 180 of his own to ensure he broke the throw. Taylor took a 2-0 lead in the set as Anderson was starting to lose his composure blaming a spectator for missing a shot at the double.
However, Anderson then started to use his anger to his advantage producing an amazing comeback to take the set and lead 5-4. 5-4 quickly became 6-4 as Anderson was starting to gain confidence and after winning the 10th set he mimed to his friends and family “it’s finished”.
By no means was the match finished as Taylor came out all guns blazing. Taylor broke Anderson’s throw with an amazing leg of darts in which he hit eight perfect darts before missing double 12 for an illustrious nine-darter. ‘The Power’ comfortably wrapped up the set 3-0 to bring the match back to 6-5.
In the 12th set Anderson had a chance at a 170 checkout to become world champion but he couldn’t take it which allowed Taylor to hit double eight and take the match into a deciding set.
Anderson wasn’t to be denied as he raised his game to win all three legs in the deciding set and become champion of the world.