The World Matchplay starts this weekend, the venue is one of the iconic venues in the sport, the impressive Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Phil Taylor has dominated the World Matchplay, having won the tournament 15 times and has not been beaten in the event since 2007 when Terry Jenkins claimed a 17-11 victory in the semi-finals.

One of the reasons Taylor has dominated so much is the long match format of the tournament. The first round is best of 19 (first to 10 legs) and then this increases to best of 25 (first to 13 legs) for the second round, rising to best of 31 (quarter-finals), 33 (semi-finals) and 35 for the final. Although the later rounds have differed a little the second round has been best of 25 for a number of years.

Having looked into Taylor’s record in televised matches since his 2007 Matchplay…