ADRIAN LEWIS admits that he is facing arguably his greatest challenge when he takes on Phil Taylor in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts play-offs later this month.
Lewis claimed the fourth semi-final berth on the final league night in Newcastle on Thursday, with a draw against Wayne Mardle eventually enough for him to qualify.
He faced a nervous wait when Taylor took on Peter Manley - his other rival for the final play-off place - but is now concentrating on the CIA in Cardiff on May 26.
"I never thought Phil was going to lose to Peter - he's probably playing better now than he has ever done," said Lewis.
"He was different class and I know now what I have to do to beat him.
"I've got to get on the practice board and put a lot of work in just to stand a chance."
Taylor has won the previous three Premier League titles and his 8-1 defeat of Manley saw him finish this year's league campaign with ten games unbeaten.
Lewis has yet to defeat his former practice partner and mentor in a televised contest, but is aiming to break that duck in the best-of-21 leg semis.
"I've beaten him three times in non-televised tournaments but never on TV and I'm looking forward to it," he added. "I'm not scared of him - I'm not scared of anybody.
"I'll go up there and play my own game. If I can score like I can and hit my doubles, I'll give him a good run for his money.
"If I can win this Premier League it probably means more to me at the moment than winning the World Championship because I'm playing with the best players in the sport week-in, week-out.
"It would be a massive boost to my confidence and I'd be looking to win a big major ranking title too this year."
Taylor admitted that he was pleased to see 23-year-old Lewis reach the play-offs for the first time - but warned the youngster he would receive no favours in their semi-final.
"I used to practice with him all the time and took him under my wing a bit," said Taylor. He thought he could take on the world and off he went, and he's done it.
"He's ranked in the top ten of the world now and fair play to him.
"But he's got a tough game, though, he's got to go to Cardiff now and beat me.
"It's going to be a real battle - not just me and Adrian but James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld too."
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