Darts: Dutchman eyes Taylor showdown

Raymond Van Barneveld insists that he would relish another chance to play Phil Taylor - arguably the game's greatest ever player.

Van Barneveld, 36, is probably playing the best darts of his career after narrowly missing out on the Grand Slam last year and backed up that theory when he demolished John Walton 5-1 in the quarter-finals of the World Championship here, finishing with a record three-dart average for the tournament of 103.83.

But Taylor showed what he is capable of when he won his 11th title at the rival PDC World Championship last weekend. Another head-to-head battle between the two would be a massive event.

And although Taylor said earlier this week that he was calling time on his career, the three-time world champion Van Barneveld believes he will play on and has not ruled out another mouth-watering contest.

"I don't think Phil will retire because he is a great player - and great players can earn a lot of money," he said. "And if he ever challenged me then I am ready for him."

The last time the pair met the Dutchman lost by 21 legs to 10 at Wembley Conference Centre in 1999, but he did not like the hour-long format and admitted he was not at his best on the night.

He said: "I broke my ankle six weeks before our last game and I didn't play my best darts. When you fall behind and the clock is ticking, you know you are never going to catch up in time.

"But you can't judge who is the best on just one night. Phil lost a few weeks after beating me, but that didn't mean the other player was then the best in the world."

Van Barneveld added: "If a challenge match between us was set up then I would be happy to play him."