Taylor Expects Part-Stopper!

PHIL TAYLOR is predicting yet another heavyweight tussle when he takes on John Part in the second round of the Stan James World Matchplay on Tuesday night.

Taylor was knocked out by Part 12 months ago in a classic quarter-final contest at the Winter Gardens.

The duo have enjoyed some superb battles during the past decade, including five major finals, and will come head-to-head in the best-of-25-leg second round.

"John will play well," predicted Taylor. "I let him off last year, and I have with Raymond van Barneveld in the last two tournaments and that's got to stop.

"I've got to get my head right and keep him under pressure. It's all to do with getting mentally right and practising properly.

"You can get into bad habits and you've got to get back on the practice board and start from the beginning.

"It's human nature to get complacent but Ray Barneveld has probably put ten years on my life because he's made me a proper professional.

"I'm trying to look after myself, I'm 46 next month and the younger players are keen and practice hard, but I've been keeping myself a little bit fitter, watching my diet and I can play a lot longer than I used to.

"I know what to expect, I'm experienced and looking forward to the game.

"Whoever beats John Part has played well. He doesn't roll over for anybody, he has got a lot of bottle.

"He does it under pressure, he comes back and can punish you.

"I know what to do and it will be like Mike Tyson versus Lennox Lewis - massive."

Taylor overcame Bob Anderson in the first round on Monday night, bouncing back from 3-0 down to win 10-5.

"It was a tough match," said Taylor. "It's the first round, Bob kicked in with a 180 and came straight out at me.

"It shocked me a little bit but it was the first to ten so you can relax a little.

"If I'd gone 5-0 or 6-0 down it's panic stations but you've got to stay in there and put him under pressure."

Taylor wore a new-look blue shirt with mesh to help him cope with the summer heat on the Blackpool stage.

"The shirt is brilliant when you're sweating and under pressure," he said. "It doesn't stick to you and it doesn't absorb sweat. It's the perfect darts shirt."