Canada's John Part pulled off a shock 7-6 win to end Phil Taylor's unbeaten eight-year run in the Ladbrokes.com World Championship. It was an emotional night for Part, the world number two, who has endured some heavy defeats at the hands of the Stoke sensation over the years. He slumped to a 7-0 loss in the 2001 final and also finished runner-up to the sport's greatest-ever performer at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix last year.
However, this time around, he produced the best display of his career to secure a famous victory, despite being pegged back after twice holding a three-set lead in the match. "I was almost in tears on the stage at the end. I really had to fight it," said Part afterwards.
"It was a relief because it's the fourth world final I've played him in, the second World Championship. The last time I was here two years ago I was pretty much disgraced. I've changed by attitude a little bit I think and I was helped by the experience of the last couple of finals. Winning was something that needed to be done for me," he added.
Taylor was humble in defeat and praised his opponent, saying: "He played superb. The difference was he hit his doubles and I didn't. It's not very often that I get beaten, but I got beaten in style. He's played well all week but my average was down a lot. I don't really know what to say - I'm flabbergasted. It's not happened to me for a long, long time."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
