Taylor powers through

Phil ’The Power’ Taylor was in ominous form as he dismantled the challenge of Dutch prodigy Michael van Gerwen with a 4-0 victory at the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen was expected to provide the multi-world champion with serious opposition and even though he had a 99 average, the 19-year-old was powerless to stop Taylor who produced a scintillating display and managed a 102 average.

The Stoke thrower raced into a 2-0 lead in the first set before the Dutchman started the third with 180 and pulled it back to 2-1.

However, ’The Power’ looked threatening as the pair produced some world-class darts and took the first leg.

Taylor then hit consecutive 180s with his first two visits to the oche in the second set, the Dutchman hit back with one of his own but the world number one hit a 10-darter to close out to go 1-0 up.

He then took out 105 to go 2-0 ahead and a double 16 saw Taylor claim the set and he continued in the same vein in the third with an average of almost 108.

Van Gerwen was snatching at his darts and started to show his frustration but managed to pull back to 2-1 with a 13-dart leg, but he failed to take advantage of the slightest Taylor wobble with the Briton closing out for a 3-0 lead.

Taylor then hit a maximum in the first leg of the fourth to go one up before Van Gerwen levelled.

Taylor went 2-1 up after Van Gerwen missed a double and although the Dutch thrower was in sight of victory, Taylor hit the bull to claim a 4-0 win.

Mark Dudbridge completed a 4-0 victory over Mensur Suljovic although the scoreline did not do justice to the Austrian.

Suljovic, who beat three-time finalist Peter Manley in the previous round, pushed his opponent all the way but it was by delivering on the big darts that the 20th seed went through.