Michael Smith set his sights on the title after he pulled off a major upset by dumping an off-colour Phil Taylor out of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

World number nine Wayne Mardle fought back from a set down to see off the brave challenge of America’s Ray Carver on the opening night of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in England.

ANDY HAMILTON put paid to the chance of any more heroics from last year’s giant-killer Gary Welding with a first-round victory at the Ladbrokes.com World Championship yesterday.