Taylor thrashed Terry Jenkins 18-4 in the World Matchplay final in 2009

Phil Taylor says he is looking forward to returning to one of his favourite venues as he tries to defend his World Matchplay title in Blackpool.

The 49-year-old has already won a 15th World Championship title, the Premier League and the UK Open in 2010.

Taylor, who beat Terry Jenkins in the 2009 final, goes in search of an 11th World Matchplay crown on 17-25 July.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I love Blackpool and the Winter Gardens, it's my favourite without a doubt."

Taylor faces former UK Open finalist Barrie Bates in the first round on Tuesday.

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Fellow Stoke-on-Trent players Adrian Lewis and Andy Hamilton will both be looking to build on impressive performances at the UK Open in June.

Lewis has a tough first-round encounter on Sunday against World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster, while Hamilton takes on Co Stompe.

Both players reached the quarter-finals in Bolton for the first time, and Hamilton believes he can go much further in Blackpool.

"There's no doubt that I'm capable of winning one of these big events," Hamilton said.

"With tournaments like the UK Open, there's too many games altogether, whereas at Blackpool, you play a game and then you have a day off.

I don't think I can face him until the final, so hopefully if I get him in the final he might be a bit more tired Adrian Lewis on Phil Taylor

"With my diabetes, it's hard to get my body clock right, and at Blackpool I can negotiate it better, so hopefully it will be my tournament."

Lewis has a decent record at the World Matchplay, having reached the semi-finals in 2007 and the last eight on two other occasions.

The 25-year-old has his sights set on avenging quarter-final defeats to Taylor at the World Championship and the UK Open.

Lewis said: "I don't think I can face him until the final, so hopefully if I get him in the final he might be a bit more tired.

"You can't give him a chance, because if you give him an inch he'll take a mile."

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