The Darts Shop

Phil Taylor of England stepped up his challenge in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-0 defeat of Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands on Saturday night.

Taylor, the world No. 1 and 13-time World Champion, dropped just three legs and averaged 102.5 against a helpless van Gerwen.

"I'm very pleased," said Taylor. "Every time he hit a big shot I wanted to match him and put him under pressure, and I did that.

"He's got a lot to learn yet but he was playing the Master. I'm here to win the World Championship and I really want this title."

Taylor now meets fellow Englishman Kevin Painter on Monday night in a repeat of the 2004 World Championship final, which the Stoke legend won in a sudden-death leg.

Painter booked his place in the last 16 with a 4-1 defeat of Spain's Carlos Rodriguez, while another former finalist, Mark Dudbridge of England, saw off Austrian Mensur Suljovic in straight sets.

Dennis Smith of England earned a spot in the third round by coming from 3-0 down to win 4-3 against 23-year-old Englishman Kevin McDine, while Holland's Co Stompe defeated number nine seed England's Alan Tabern 4-1.

England's Wayne Mardle - a five-time World Championship semi-finalist - set up a third round clash with Stompe after edging past Robert Thornton in a seven-set thriller.

Mardle led 3-1 before Thornton hit back to level, but the Romford ace who hit four ton-plus finishes in the game - delighted the 2,500 crowd at Alexandra Palace by winning the deciding set 3-1 to progress.

"I should have won 4-1 but Robert was great and came back strongly," said Mardle. "I was just relieved to get through at the end but the crowd were amazing and I couldn't have won without them."
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.