Sydney Darts Masters 2016: Taylor overcomes MVG

The legendary 56-year-old has never been defeated since the World Series of Darts was introduced in 2013, claiming three previous Sydney titles and two Perth Darts Masters trophies in a 20-game unbeaten run.

He extended that to 24 matches and a fourth straight win in Sydney in a brilliant final day of this year's event, as he firstly swept past Dave Chisnall 11-4 in the semi-finals before edging out van Gerwen in a thrilling decider.

Taylor dominated his semi-final with Chisnall, leading 3-0, 7-1 and 10-2 before holding off a brief rally from his rival - who took out 66 and 70 - to book his spot in the final, averaging 102.47 and hitting five 180s.

Van Gerwen, meanwhile, overcame Peter Wright 11-6 with a brilliant 106 average as he finished 11 out of 13 darts at a double including his first eight without missing in a flawless opening as he took an 8-1 lead.

Wright took out 121 and 156 as he hit back to 8-4 with four perfect doubles of his own, but van Gerwen proved too strong as he held on for the win.

The final proved a tighter affair as van Gerwen opened with a 180 in an 11-darter before seeing Taylor come from 2-1 down to lead 4-2 and 5-3.

Van Gerwen then hit back with three legs of his own to move back ahead, landing a 104 checkout to edge 6-5 up and double eight to claim a 7-6 advantage.

Taylor again found a surge, levelling with an 11-darter, finishing double eight, 68 and 90 as he moved into a 10-7 lead, and though van Gerwen landed 180s in the next two legs to cut the gap and keep his hopes alive, the reigning champion held on to seal victory with double 16.

"This is brilliant and I'm so happy," said Taylor. "I thought it was a cracking final - I thought I had him and then he came back.

"I always get in front of him and he seems to come back at me, but I thought 'you're not going to get me this time'. That's the only way to beat Michael, by fighting and being aggressive.

"I'm going to pat myself on the back because it was a fantastic game.

"Sydney's been great this week - it's been fantastic at The Star and it's been perfect for me. I got my preparation right and I've got my darts right. I'd love to play here every week!"

Taylor will now set his sights on retaining the TABtouch Perth Darts Masters title at the PCEC from August 25-27, having been victorious in Western Australia for the past two years.

"I'm going to go for it and I'm on a high," admitted the 56-year-old. "I'm really looking forward to Perth and I want to carry this forward now.

"Michael been storming it and he's setting the bar, but he's in for a battle now and I'm after him. I'm not putting myself under pressure and whoever plays me now is going to have to play well to beat me."

Van Gerwen had previously been defeated by Taylor in the 2013 final in Sydney and was aiming to pick up his maiden World Series of Darts win in Australia, only to miss out narrowly.

"Full credit to Phil, he had a fantastic tournament and the crowd saw a great final," said van Gerwen. "You can't afford to miss against Phil in this form and I tried to come back, but fair play to Phil because he was better than me tonight.

"I think I played well but I made a couple of little mistakes and if you're playing against Phil in this form he punishes you.

"I can only blame myself and you can't win all the time but it hurts. Last night I played fantastic and I feel great, and it's been a fantastic week here and I'll prepare for Perth now."

Wright had won through to his first World Series final of the year by defeating Australia's Simon Whitlock and Rhys Mathewson, while Chisnall was unable to repeat the form which had seen him overcome Harley Kemp and Adrian Lewis as he missed out on a spot in a maiden World Series decider. 

Sydney Darts Masters 2016 Results

Thursday August 18
First Round (Best of 11 legs)
James Wade 5-6 Rhys Mathewson
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Harley Kemp
Adrian Lewis 6-3 Rob Szabo
Phil Taylor 6-3 Corey Cadby
Gary Anderson 6-3 David Platt
Peter Wright 6-2 Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Cody Harris
Raymond van Barneveld 1-6 Kyle Anderson

Friday August 19
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
Gary Anderson 2-10 Phil Taylor
Adrian Lewis 5-10 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Kyle Anderson
Rhys Mathewson 4-10 Peter Wright

Saturday August 20
Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)
Phil Taylor 11-4 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 11-6 Peter Wright

Final (Best of 21 legs)
Phil Taylor 11-9 Michael van Gerwen