Sixth Grand Prix Title For Taylor

PHIL TAYLOR destroyed Colin Lloyd 7-1 to win a sixth Sky Bet World Grand Prix title with a magnificent display.

Taylor bounced back from his first round exit of 12 months ago to take the title from Lloyd in style.

He had only lost 14 legs during the week and had won 15 sets without reply on his way to the final.

Taylor looked on course to create a new record by not dropping a single set throughout the tournament when he took a 5-0 lead, and though Lloyd scuppered those hopes he had little chance of stopping a heavy defeat.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Taylor. "It means a lot to me and this is probably the hardest tournament to win because of the double start."

Lloyd actually led 2-1 in the first set before Taylor stepped in to take the lead - and he immediately pulled away.

Taylor won the next 12 legs to extend the lead to 5-0 before Lloyd managed to finally hit back.

He won three straight legs to take the sixth set and came from 2-0 down to level in the next before Taylor made the scoreline 6-1.

Taylor then wrapped up the win by taking the next set 3-0 to complete a memorable week at the Citywest Hotel.

"I think the first set dictated the match," added Taylor.

"I went 2-1 down and it was vital for me to get that fourth leg. I took the next one with the darts and his head dropped a little bit, so I kept pushing.

"I could tell that he was under pressure and not enjoying himself during the game, and my instinct is to just keep getting stuck in.

"Sometimes losing one set doesn't mean a lot, especially in a best of 13 final, but his head dropped a little bit after the first and second set. I was playing well at the time and he let me in a couple of times."

Lloyd conceded that he was bitterly disappointed to lose the title with such a heavy defeat.

"I was not good enough," said Lloyd. "I expected a lot more of myself and it simply wasn't good enough.

"I'm very, very disappointed. I haven't played well all week.

"Phil played solid darts and he has ended up taking my title, but he hasn't played the best of Colin Lloyd tonight.

"I'm not going to take anything away from Phil but at this moment in time I'm very disappointed."

Sky Bet World Grand Prix Final