Obviously The Empress Ballroom is the setting for the 2015 World Matchplay late July. Phil Taylor’s win streak at this tournament comes to an end this year. After 38 matches without defeat, a series that began in 2008, the dominance of the man from Stoke-on-Trent is brought an end. It's James Wade who beats him in the semi-finals.
It is not enough for James Wade to win the tournament for a second time though. That honour falls to the Dutchman Michael van Gerwen. He successively defeats compatriot Benito van de Pas, Jamie Lewis, Ian White and Peter Wright en route to the final. In that final Wade just does not reach the level of his semi-final as Michael van Gerwen lands his first World Matchplay title.
Surprises are there again this year, like in most years. Welshman Gerwyn Price makes his debut on this stage and first switches Michael Smith off before also beating Adrian Lewis. Austrian ace Mensur Suljovic also plays great in his victories over Terry Jenkins and world champion Gary Anderson. Yet for both men their progress is halted in the quarterfinals. Moreover, it is for the first time in its 22-year history of the tournament that all the eight highest ranked players survive the first round.