PHIL TAYLOR believes he will be match-sharp for Thursday's 888.com Premier League Darts Play-Offs.
Following the conclusion of the 14-week Premier League regular season, Taylor travelled to Austria this weekend to compete in the two Players Championships held at the Arena Nova in Wiener Neustadt.
His rivals for the £125,000 Premier League Darts title at the Wembley Arena this Thursday, World Champion Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld, all opted against competing in Austria.
Although Taylor failed to take victory in the two events - reaching the last 16 on Saturday, before going out to John Part, and the final on Sunday, where he lost 6-5 to Vincent van der Voort - he believes that competing in Austria will keep him on track to retain the title.
"I wanted to get some match practice in," said Taylor. "It's up to the other players to do what they think is right, maybe they're right and I'm wrong.
"I've not been wrong many times for the last 20 years.
"It's a little bit like Formula One racing, changing the tyres or putting petrol in at the wrong time, and I had a good practice session out there and enjoyed myself."
Lewis inflicted Taylor's only defeat in the regular league season, winning 8-2 on the opening night at The O2 in London back on February 10.
After that loss, Taylor's heaviest in the history of the Premier League, the world number one took 13 straight wins to top the league table, and has his sights on further revenge against Lewis following an 8-3 win in their second league meeting.
"I'm not interested in the final yet - I'm getting ready for the semi-finals and I'm after Adie, big-style," added Taylor.
"I'd like to go at Adrian as hard as I can, and that's what I'm going to do.
"He's a great player, a great kid and I love him - but there's no love lost up there on stage. He's the World Champion, I'm not, and it's man against man on Thursday."
Tickets for the 888.com Premier League Darts Play-Offs remain on sale on 0844 815 0 815 or via www.wembleyarena.co.uk.
888.com Premier League Darts Play-Offs
May 19 - Wembley Arena, London
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Best of 15 legs - first to eight
Third-Place Play-Off
Best of 15 legs - first to eight
Final
Best of 19 legs - first to ten
Tickets: 0844 815 0 815 or www.wembleyarena.co.uk
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