Taylor poised to win in Vegas

Ten-times world champion Phil Taylor powered into the final of the inaugural Las Vegas Desert Classic with a convincing win over Liverpool’s Lee Palfreyman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The 41-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent completed a 3-0 semi-final success to book a date with Ronnie Baxter in tonight’s decider at the $100,000 (€102,700) event.

Baxter, also 41 and from Bury in Lancashire, had earlier defeated Holland’s Roland Scholten 3-1 in the other last-four match-up.

‘‘I do like Lee as a person but this is what I do for a living and I have to be ruthless,’’ Taylor told Sky Sports.

‘‘I knew he was going to be a little bit nervous because this was his first time in a televised semi-final, but he’s beaten some great players to get here and he’s definitely one for the future.

‘‘Ronnie Baxter and myself in the final is going to be fireworks. It’s going to be a cracker. It’s going to be really tough for me because Ronnie has been in great form all week.

‘‘But I’m getting a bit older now and the more finals I’m in, the more I want to win, and I really want this one.

‘‘I’ve played Ronnie many, many times in the past. He’s beaten me and I’ve beaten him, but you don’t really think about past records.

‘‘This is a different kettle of fish. This is a Grand Final, it’s in Las Vegas, probably the biggest venue in the world, and it’s going to be fantastic.

‘‘And I’m going to dedicate this final to my mate Ricky Hatton, the boxer, who will be over here soon showing the Americans how to box, that’s for sure.’’

Palfreyman added: ‘‘I enjoyed it but I’m disappointed I didn’t push him a little bit further. He played well and I can’t take anything away from him, but I would have liked to have done better.

‘‘The experience has been great and I have won two matches on television, so hopefully I’ll learn from this and get another crack at him soon.’’