PHIL TAYLOR is setting his sights on winning a seventh Betway Premier League title in Thursday's Play-Offs, after losing out to Michael van Gerwen in the battle for the League Leader's Bonus last week.
Taylor and van Gerwen have been locked in a duel throughout the season to finish at the head of the standings, with a £25,000 bonus having been on offer to the player who topped the final league table.
Fittingly, the battle went right to the final league night at Rotterdam Ahoy last week, where van Gerwen claimed a 7-5 victory to see off his great rival.
The pair were locked at four-all when van Gerwen powered in a 164 checkout, to the delight of the 10,000 sell-out Dutch crowd, and though Taylor hit back in leg ten it was the world number one who claimed the final two legs for victory.
Taylor, though, is now preparing for Thursday's semi-final against World Champion Gary Anderson - the reigning Premier League champion - as he bids to claim the title for the first time since 2012.
"I live to fight another day," said Taylor, speaking to Dutch broadcaster RTL7. "I'd have loved to have been number one, but Michael's earned it.
"He hits the right shots at the right times, he hurts you, like a boxer. Michael's 164 was probably the best shot of the Premier League, it was class.
"You can't fault him, he does it week-in, week out. I've always said there will never be a player who will replicate what I've done, but this fella is different class, he's exceptional."
The night in Rotterdam saw the final Play-Off place confirmed when Adrian Lewis defeated Anderson 7-2 - and Taylor has tipped all four players to hit top form at The O2.
"Adrian has been nervous for the last couple of weeks, but now he will relax and Michael's up against it," added Taylor. "It's different because it's a knockout now.
"I think everyone will be relaxed and everyone's in for a treat, we can relax and enjoy it."
The night in Rotterdam was the Premier League's first in continental Europe and was a huge success after tickets sold out within an hour of going on general sale seven months before the event.
"The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic," praised Taylor. "Fair play to the Dutch crowd, they made it into an exciting match, they were brilliant - I loved it.
"It was special, it really was. It was the best atmosphere I've played in front of for a long, long time and it's motivated me to carry on for a few more years."
Tickets for the Betway Premier League Play-Offs are still available by calling 0844 856 0202 or via www.theo2.co.uk.
Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Thursday May 19, The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Best of 19 legs
Final
van Gerwen/Lewis v Taylor/Anderson
Best of 21 legs
Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or www.theo2.co.uk