Darts / David Croft / 01 June 2009 /

David Croft is keen on the chances of fourth favourite Gary Anderson at the UK Open.

So Phil Taylor's unblemished record in the Premier League was ended by Mervyn King and James Wade strode in to pick up the title as King was unable to repeat his semi-final efforts. It's not often I get the chance to revel in a bit of glory and I'm not normally the man to say I told you so, but in the case and for the record I'd like to say: 'I told you so!'

Congratulations to all those who had a bit of faith in the sport of darts and backed Wade, believing that Taylor could and would be beaten, and I hope you had a very good night out to celebrate your win.

I would never decry Taylor's achievements, the record books don't lie after all, but I do take issue with the coverage of his matches which if you listen to some of the commentary would have you believe that he's won the match just by turning up.

This week in Bolton Taylor faces another challenge in the UK Open, the tournament which should be nicknamed the FA Cup of Darts. No other tournament brings together the cream of the darting world against some of the talented but rarely seen on TV players that ply their trade in the pubs and clubs across the land. As with its football counterpart you can expect upsets and shocks along the way, this is after all the one major that Holland's Roland Scholten managed to win and I'd be stunned if we don't get a few giant killing acts in Bolton this week, such is the depth of talent in the field.

Looking back at the six previous UK Open championships only twice has it been won by The Power, well below his domination of other tournaments. So will somebody please tell me why he's trading at a staggeringly low [1.97] to win this year? If you ask me, anyone who goes with that price needs their head examining. He may win of course but neither my heart nor my head tell me that it's a certainty. In Phil's favour is the fact that he won't enter the competition until the third round, that's when he and the other players in the top 32 of the UK Open order of merit take their places on the oche. However that could also work against him because there's one player starting out in the first round who is not only capable of beating Phil, but is on a mission to do just that.

The one reason that Gary Anderson wanted to join the PDC was not for the money, trust me on this one, but for the chance to beat the man widely regarded as the greatest player in the game on a regular basis. That's what's driving Anderson on, that's why he swapped his number one status in the BDO system to try his hand with the PDC. On his day he is deadly, true his day often didn't get going at the Lakeside but don't take that as a true representation of his form, it's worth pointing out that in the three months since he switched he's already won a title, the Welsh Players Championship.

Anderson faces a tough first match against the World Championship quarter finalist Paul Nicholson but should he win through that, I can see him going all the way. The PDC big boys will know of his reputation, and a few may even have played the odd game against him, back in 2007 when he won both the IDL and World Darts Trophy he beat Mardle, Roland Scholten, Mervyn King, James Wade, Adrian Lewis, Mark Webster, John Part, Peter Manley, Andy Hamilton and notably Phil Taylor in the WDT final. Personally, I'd love a repeat in Bolton this weekend and, at [13.5] with Betfair, Anderson is excellent value and extremely backable.

The draw for the third round stage and beyond is made after the completion of the early stages so as yet the big boys won't know who they're up against. They could of course be drawn against the one lady taking part and as ever Anastasia Dobromyslova will have plenty of interest in her match against this years Scottish Open semi finalist Andy Roberts, that's a tough one for the Russian and I wouldn't be surprised to see her fall at the first hurdle.

That match, just one of many that will have Darts fans glued to their Sky TV this weekend. The UK Open is a brilliant tournament and the perfect antidote to the 15 weeks of the Premier League. Many will fancy their chances, Wade at [8.2] to defend his title, Barney at [11.5] to make it three UK Open successes and King at [27.0] will have their followers but Anderson should be the man to beat and it wouldn't come as much of a surprise to me, to see the Scotsman flying.

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