Taylor sets up dream final

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Dutchman Van Barneveld was the first to book his place with a nervy 6-4 victory over James Wade before Taylor eased past Mervyn King 6-2.

The pair met in the final two years ago with Van Barneveld triumphing 7-6 in a classic encounter. It was only the third time Taylor had failed to take the crown since the tournament started in 1994.

That continued last year when Taylor failed to reach the final for the first time - John Part beating surprise package Kirk Shepherd - but there was to be no repeat this year.

Taylor said: "I think we're in for a cracker. It's a good rivalry, a friendly rivalry. But there won't be any love lost when we get on the stage."

Earlier, Van Barneveld and Wade were involved in a real see-saw tussle with neither able to open up a lead. It was nip and tuck for the first eight sets with van Barneveld initially holding the advantage but then finding himself twice battling back to level.

The Dutchman grew in confidence throughout the match, and although Wade managed to hold on for 4-4, the momentum was with the second seed and he rattled off sets nine and 10 without conceding a leg to seal victory.

Van Barneveld struggled to live up to his quarter-final, where he hit the first PDC World Championship nine-dart finish in a 5-1 victory over Jelle Klaasen, and he knows he will have to up his game to beat Taylor.

"I didn't perform that well," he said. "I was very tired and didn't sleep at all after the nine-darter and the match against Jelle. I expected it to be a long game but the way I played, I won't win the tournament."