Power eases into Blackpool quarter finals

Ten-time world champion Phil Taylor eased into the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay with a 13-3 win over Scotland’s Jamie Harvey in Blackpool tonight.

‘The Power’ never had to move out of third gear to overcome Harvey, who insisted after his first-round win over Simon Whatley that he could beat the world number one.

Taylor’s three-dart average and checkout percentage were lower than Sunday night’s impressive 10-0 success against Les Fitton, but he was still able to dominate.

Harvey won the opening leg and was on course for nine-dart finish at one stage after nailing five successive treble 20s.

But Taylor, like a true champion, then took charge and he did not drop another leg until he had seven in the bag himself.

His average hovered just above the 100 mark – almost eight points down from Sunday night – but he still reeled off the next four legs to move within two of victory.

The crowd cheered Harvey when he reduced the deficit with a successful attempt at double eight.

However, it only delayed the inevitable and Taylor finished the match with shots at double three and 16.