Taylor marches into last four as Smith bows out

KATIE TAYLOR hammered home her third win in three days yesterday to progress to tomorrow’s semi-finals at the 8th European Women’s Championships in Rotterdam.

Taylor, aiming for her fifth European gold medal in-a-row, beat Azerbaijani lightweight Ayzanat Hajiyeva 17-4 to set up a last-four clash with Sweden’s Helena Falk.

Having scored 54 points and conceded 14 in her three wins so far in Rotterdam, Taylor, who is now guaranteed at least bronze, will be favourite to advance to her fifth consecutive European final.