Taylor won his third European Championship in August

Defending champion Phil Taylor suffered a shock defeat by his Potteries rival Ted Hankey in the Grand Slam of Darts.

The game went into a deciding leg and it was Hankey who hit a 14-dart finish to claim a memorable 5-4 triumph.

Taylor, who was playing for only the second time competitively while wearing glasses, must now defeat Wes Newton on Wednesday to stay in the event.

He admitted: "Ted outplayed me, my darts were clipping the wires just on the wrong side."

Taylor, 50, has won the Grand Slam title on the three previous occasions it has taken place.

"I'm struggling with the glasses and because it's new for me I'm thinking about it all the time, but I've got to get used to them," he continued.

"I'll have a tough challenge against Wes Newton but both of us know the task and we probably prefer a shoot-out between us to see who gets through. I'll get ready and I'll be up for it," added Taylor.

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