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PDC Grand Slam of Darts: and then there were two

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Stuart Pyke stokes up the heat ahead of Sunday's GSoD Final

So, after nine days of terrific tungsten, 62 matches and plenty of darting drama, there are two men left standing.

It'll be an all-Stoke affair for the right to be crowned the first ever Grand Slam Champion - and of course, the little matter of a winner's cheque for £80,000 - the second biggest prize in world darts.

Before a dart was thrown, punters liked the look of Taylor. He was around (4) to back - arguably the longest pre-tournament odds for 'The Power' in over a decade. He hasn't disappointed backers and it will take the performance of his life from Andy Hamilton to deny Taylor the 'Power and the Glory' and the money!

Hamilton (5.1) has never beaten Taylor (1.23) and 'The Hammer' actually put a stop to his regular practice sessions with the 13-times World Champion, because it was affecting his game.

In fact, it took him a few months to get over 'The Hammer' blows Taylor dealt out at every practice session. It was a mistake that he has now recovered from and he will go in search of revenge but I just can't see him causing an upset.

Thoughts go back to the two big semi-finals the pair have played in the last 18 months. At the 2006 World Matchplay semi-final, Hamilton ran Taylor close but ran out of steam....and at last year's World Championship semi-final, Taylor hammered Hamilton by six sets to nil.

Hamilton has run back into form this week in Wolverhampton but he will have to pressurise Taylor from the off and he will need a check-out rate of over 50 per cent to give himself a fighting chance. He is around the (5) mark to back against 'The Power' and there may be a touch of value if he makes a good start.

The big danger is a 'Power' surge and if that happens, it will be a one-sided affair....but a handicap market giving Hamilton 6.5 legs start may be worth looking at.

In the correct score market, 18-12 or 18-13 in Taylor's favour could be worth a punt.

For me, Taylor's 12 month barren spell, without a big title, should come to an end and his odds for the PDC World Championship will surely shorten.

After the failures of Barneveld and Wade, Taylor will be the number one choice of punters for the Alexandra Palace.

A grand week at the Grand Slam and grand finale on the cards for Philip Douglas Taylor!