Taylor Slaughters Stompe
PHIL Taylor remains on course for world title No 14 after his stunning demolition of rising Dutch star Co Stompe at the Alexandra Palace in London.
Taylor's 5-0 thrashing of Stompe takes him through to face Mervyn King in the semi-finals of the PDC Ladbrokes.com world championship.
He finished with a three-dart average of 108.80, the third highest in the tournament's 15-year history.
Stompe won only three legs in the match as Taylor comprehensively avenged the defeat he suffered in the final of the PartyPoker.net German championships in November.
Taylor oozed confidence from the start last night. He gave away the advantage of the throw after winning the pre-match nearest the bulls eye and that decision was soon vindicated.
Stompe started the match with only 59, Taylor replied with 177 and went on to take the opening leg in 14 darts.
Taylor then held his throw and wrapped up the set with an 11 darter.
He handed Stompe a lifeline in the second leg of the second set when three missed darts on a double gave the Dutchman the chance to win his first leg, but a 120 check out put Taylor back on course and he won the set in the deciding leg.
Taylor piled on the misery at the start of the third set – winning the opening leg against the throw, despite Stompe starting with 180 and then hitting two maximums on his way to taking the next leg. There was no way back for Stompe, who won only one more leg.
King, twice a beaten finalist in the BDO world championship, had earlier beaten Barrie Bates 5-2 to set up his last four clash with Taylor.
Bates battled back to level after going 2-0 behind, but then King stepped up a gear.
"I'm happy with the win and my performance was better," said King. "I did enough to get the victory, but I can still improve.
"I should have been 4-0 up really, or at least 3-1, and at two-all I had to find something, and I did that.
"I'm nowhere near my best, but it's there in flashes. I have peaks and troughs in my game anyway and I'm not as consistent as some players, but when I'm at the top of my game I'll beat anybody."
And looking ahead to the Taylor clash, KIng added: "I'm not here to lose in the semi-final, I'm here to win it. I've got it in me and it's got to come out at the right time."
Meanwhile, in tonight's remaining quarter-finals, James Wade takes on Paul Nicholson, while five times world champion Ray van Barneveld goes head-to-head with fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen in a repeat of the 2006 BDO world championship final.
"I've never beaten him on TV, but I know if I play my normal game I can beat anyone," said van Barneveld.
"However, Jelle is in good form and I think it will be a good match."
