Phil Taylor believes that Michael van Gerwen has started to show signs of "cracking" under the pressure of being ranked the world's number one darts player.
Van Gerwen won the UK Open for the first time in his career at the weekend, yet he recently accused Adrian Lewis of deliberately trying to slow down matches, while he also hit out at Peter Wright for attempting to whip up the crowd.
Reflecting on those incidents, 14-time PDC World Championship winner Taylor told Sky Sports News: "I think he is feeling the pressure a little bit and it's just beginning to take its toll.
"Our game now is week in week out so you have to play well, not once, not twice but 600 times a year now. He is feeling the pressure a bit and cracking just a little bit."
However, Taylor, who will face Van Gerwen in the Premier League tomorrow night, has backed the Dutchman to "handle it".
"I don't think Adrian tried to slow him down. Peter Wright is Peter Wright - he's an entertainer. He doesn't try to put Michael off, but I think Michael is chewing at the bit a little bit. I think he is making excuses to be a little bit under pressure," added the 54-year-old.
"He'll handle it, he knows what he is doing [and] he's not a daft lad. I'm going to go on with bagpipes tomorrow and see what he says about that!"
Taylor has beaten Van Gerwen in the last two meetings between the pair.
Liam Apicella
