Darts champ sets his sights on Las Vegas Desert Classic

By Rob Miech

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

The Saint in the white satin shirt had the red-clad devil backed into a corner, but The Rocket finally fended off the formidable foe.

Phil “The Power” Taylor, the best darts thrower in the history of the sport, doesn’t lose often, but he took one on the chin Tuesday in the Las Vegas Players Championship.

“You’re human,” he said. “You’re going to get beat once in a while, now and again. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll get ready for the next one. That’s (today).”

The Players Championship, with a $10,000 prize, was a one-day warm-up to the eighth PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic, which starts today and ends Sunday in the Islander Ballroom at Mandalay Bay.

First place in the Desert Classic is worth $50,000.

Taylor first teetered in the Players Championship against Alan “The Saint” Tabern, a lefty who lost the first three games of a best-of-11 quarterfinal but rallied to win the next four.

The Saint hiccupped, and Taylor eked out a 6-4 victory.

Taylor beat Gary Anderson, 6-2, in a semifinal, but Ronnie “The Rocket” Baxter smashed Taylor, 6-2, in the final. It was only the second of 12 one-day Players Championships that Taylor hasn’t won this year.

Asked his record against Taylor, Baxter said, “Three and ... pass.”

He didn’t want to admit it, but Baxter had improved to 3-27 against Taylor. Nobody who has ever played Taylor twice has a winning record against the native of Stoke-on-Trent, England.

However, Baxter evened a score against Taylor. A year ago, in the one-day Championship leading to the Desert Classic, Taylor defeated Baxter.

“I’m on a roll,” Baxter said. “At least, I’d like to think I’m on a roll.”

Taylor has been on quite a roll. He’s won nearly a million British pounds over the past 18 months, and he locked up his 14th world championship this year. No male has claimed half as many crowns.

Even more daunting for his opponents, Taylor seems to be getting better as he ages.

In April, he recorded the highest three-dart average, of 116.01, in a televised match. On consecutive days in June, he tallied the second- and third-highest averages, of 115.62 and 115.51.

“I’m trying to get better,” said Taylor, 48. “I’m trying to improve all the time. It’s all about preparation. When you get beat, it’s about knowing what you’ve done wrong.

“The last few weeks, I know exactly what I’ve done wrong and what I’m doing right. I’m looking forward to the Desert Classic.”

Everywhere he turned Tuesday, Taylor was hit with autograph and photograph requests. He accommodated all with a smile, even when conversation was interrupted between him, his wife and his son.

He's been so devilishly dominating, there are always chunks of fans at every tournament rooting against him. But his legion of fans muffle those detractors. He bristled at the notion that he’s a star.

“No, not at all,” Taylor said. “Not one bit. No, I don’t want to be a superstar. I’m not that way.”

Eric Bristow, “The Crafty Cockney” who ruled the game in the 1980s, mentored Taylor early on and watched “The Power” take over dominating the sport when his career fizzled.

At 125-1 odds, Taylor defeated Bristow, who also hails from Stoke-on-Trent, in his first World Championship in 1990.

“When he loses a tournament, he goes home and beats up the board,” Bristow said. “That’s why he’s a brilliant dart player. When he’s in a zone, it’s beautiful to watch.”

Aussie Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock dropped to 1-2 lifetime against Taylor by losing, 6-0, in the match before The Saint’s.

“He knows he can beat any person in the world,” said Whitlock, who controls his ponytail with five bands. “He doesn’t do anything bad. He hardly ever misses.”

But a few errant throws gave Tabern a scent of victory. Alas, The Power improved to 10-0 against The Saint.

“I was in a position a lot of players dream about,” Tabern said of his 4-3 advantage. “But The Power did what The Power does. He answers. With a little bit of luck, I could have won.

“But I also believe the best man wins. I think the best thing he does is, he doesn’t think. A lot of players think too much.”

Taylor agreed with Tabern.

“I don’t worry, even when I’m down 5-1 or 6-1,” Taylor said. “Why can’t you come back? If they win, fair enough. If they give you room, I’ll get you.”

He didn’t want to discuss it, but Taylor tweaked his lower back two weeks ago while riding a bicycle near his new home in an exclusively gated community. He said it’s minor now, but it almost kept him from coming to Las Vegas.

He stood for long stretches Tuesday and had some amateur tosses, especially late when his back started to tighten, against Baxter.

“I’ve been seeing the physio, but I’m fine,” Taylor said. “I’m pleased. I don’t like losing. Don’t get me wrong, but no excuses. Ronnie beat me fair and square.”

Today, the big tournament begins. One foe a day. The stage will be raised and bright. The crowd will loud. The live Sky Sports cameras will feed England.

“It’s going to bring the best out of me,” Taylor said. “It’s what I do for a living. It’s my job. I’ll play well the rest of the week, especially after getting beat (Tuesday) in a final.”