Taylor turns on the power in brilliant Berlin victory

Phil Taylor defeated Dave Chisnall 6-2 to win his first European Tour event at the German Darts Championship, hitting seven 180s in an imperious display in the final at the Tempodrom in Berlin.

The world number one followed up fine victories over Colin Lloyd, Raymond van Barneveld and Wes Newton by gaining revenge over Chisnall for his defeat in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Christmas in last night’s final.

“The Power” had also been defeated by the St Helens man in a Players Championship final in Reading earlier this year, but never looked like suffering a third loss with a vintage display in the final.

Taylor opened the decider with a 180 in a 12-darter, and after Chisnall levelled in 14 darts he posted an 11-darter and tops to lead 3-1.

Chisnall won the fifth leg on double ten, despite a maximum from Taylor, before the Stoke great hit the same bed to win his fourth leg, finished a 14-darter to lead 5-2 and landed his seventh maximum in the next as he set up tops for victory.

“I’m delighted to have won this,” said Taylor, who ended the game with a 106.82 average to Chisnall’s 100.60.

“Dave’s played some great darts throughout the weekend so I knew I’d have to be at my best in the final and it’s great to win. It’s a fantastic way to set myself up for the World Matchplay.”

Taylor had defeated youngsters Jerry Hendriks and Reece Robinson earlier in the weekend before beginning Sunday’s final stages with a 6-0 whitewash of Colin Lloyd.

He then held off Raymond van Barneveld’s fightback from 4-1 down to claim a narrow 6-5 quarter-final victory over his great rival, before seeing off Wes Newton 6-3 in the semis on his way to claiming the £15,000 first prize.

Chisnall’s run to the final had begun with wins over Gareth Cousins and Michael Rosenauer, before he edged out Terry Jenkins 6-5 by hitting six 180s in their third round clash.

He then defeated Mervyn King and Simon Whitlock 6-4 to win through to the final, with the £7,500 prize money taking him up to 16th in the PDC Order of Merit.

“It feels great to have reached the final but Phil was too good in the end,” said Chisnall. “It’s always an honour playing Phil and the atmosphere was great.

“I like the European Tour events and I’m having some success in them, so I hope I can win one next time! I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work recently and it’s paying off.”

World number five Newton followed up a 103 average in his third round victory over Michael Mansell with a 6-3 quarter-final win over Justin Pipe, who was unable to follow up his victory in April’s Austrian Open event with another European Tour title.

Simon Whitlock produced fine displays to see off Kevin Painter – with a 106.83 average – and Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts to reach the semis, before going down 6-3 to Chisnall.

World Youth Champion James Hubbard, Holland’s Co Stompe, Mark Webster and Ronnie Baxter were other losers in the last 16 of the German Darts Championship, which was the second of five £82,100 European Tour events which will be held this year.

The third European Tour event, the European Darts Open, will be held at the Maritim Hotel in Dusseldorf from July 6-8.

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