Phil Taylor knows that if he is to collect a 14th world title on New Year's Day he will have to do it the hard way.
'The Power' was handed no favours by the draw for the Ladbrokes.com World Championship in Purfleet for, apart from the first round and potentially the quarter-finals, in every match he looks sure to face an opponent who is in cracking form.
Austria's Anton Pein was dispatched without dropping a leg in round one. But on Boxing Day the 46-year-old from Stoke meets Ireland's Mick McGowan, against whom he suffered a rare defeat in a floor event in Holland last month.
McGowan is one of the fastest-improving players on the circuit and many experts believe he could shock Taylor again.
If the defending champion comes through that match, lying in wait is Chris Mason whose fragile temperament has looked much more secure in his two victories so far.
Mason has the ability to trouble anyone on his day, but he admits for too long he has allowed his head to drop when things have not been going his way.
The 37-year-old impressed though in beating two-time former world champion John Part in the second round and could test Taylor if they come face to face.
South African surprise package Wynand Havenga or Darren Webster are unlikely to give the number two seed many problems in the quarter-finals, but potential last-four opponent Dennis Priestley is someone Taylor fears.
The 56-year-old is enjoying a new lease of life, back up to number three in the rankings, and Taylor has tipped him as one of his biggest threats.
'Watch Dennis this year,' said Taylor. 'He won't roll over. He has been practising hard and is playing superbly.'
However, the match all darts fans would love to see is Taylor versus Raymond van Barneveld in the final - a possibility that remained alive when the Dutchman hit back from three sets down to pip world number one Colin Lloyd in the second round.
The duo have met five times on television since 'Barney' joined the Professional Darts Corporation, with the score at 2-2 and one draw in the Premier League.
'If I could play Ray in the final it would be fantastic,' said Taylor. 'But at the moment Ray is the last thing on my mind.
'The next round will be tough against Mick McGowan and if I get past him, Chris Mason will be a tough one. They are tough games every round - but that's how it should be.'
