Taylor To Turn Up The Heat

DARTS superstar Phil Taylor has spent a week in the blazing hot sun of Majorca - now he’s ready to turn the heat on his rivals.

The Power, 47, is warming up for the most important fortnight of the year so far as the Partypoker.net PDC US Open kicks off in Connecticut tomorrow followed by the Whyte & Mackay Premier League finals in Cardiff on May 26.

And Taylor is ready for glory with a training regime that would put some footballers to shame.

He said: "After the Premier League finished in Newcastle I needed a break to re-charge my batteries. The travelling has been relentless.

"I was very happy to finish top but now the serious business starts.

"I’ve been in Majorca and it’s been great. I managed to find a local bar with a dartboard and I’ve been practising just the same amount as any day at home.

"When I wasn’t at the oche I went for six mile walks every day and also did a huge amount of swimming - then in bed for 9pm every night.

"I’ve lost loads of weight but I feel fantastic and I’m ready for anyone right now."

Taylor is defending both his US Open and Premier League titles and knows it’s going to be hard work to retain the coveted trophies.

He faces American Robert St Onge in the first round at the Mohegan Sun Casino tomorrow while protege Adrian Lewis awaits him in the Premier League semi-final.

He added: "I know it’s a cliche but every match is tough and there are so many good players playing well. If everyone finds their A game every match becomes a European Cup Final.

"The main thing for me is that I’m very confident in my own game again. I had a rocky start to the Premier League, peaked and then just got through the last few weeks.

"I needed a break to get back to my best and I feel that now.

"I know everyone will be expecting me to cruise past Robert St Onge but all these players are capable of winning against anyone.

Jamie Harvey will be joined by Ayrshire’s Robert Thornton who qualified last weekend by making the top 16 in the Holsten qualifiers.

And stunning Russian female star Anastasia Dobromyslova - the current BDO/WDF Womens World Champion - is also set for the Reebok Stadium tournament