Phil Taylor’s bid for a 16th World Championship title at the Alexandra Palace got off to a steady start at the Alexandra Palace!
And Team Unicorn stablemate Wes Newton has also booked his place in the 2nd Round.
But Taylor finally dispatched Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu in front of a packed house on day two of the Ladbrokes World Championship….and despite not being at his best, he still managed an average of 99.98, which is the best of the tournament so far!
He took his time to get going and Muramatsu actually missed a dart at ‘tops’ to go 2-1 up in the first set, before Taylor put his foot on the gas…..it was fair to say Phil was relieved to get this one out of the way.
The Japanese No.1 even broke the Taylor throw twice during the match!
‘The Power’ though always had plenty in reserve.
“It was hard work for me and very happy to get through it. I love this place and the crowd made me feel very humble.”
Taylor will now play either Mark Dudbridge or Dave Chisnall in the 2nd Round on December 27.
“Whoever I play, it will be hard,” admitted Taylor. “And I am going to have to put in some practice over Christmas, that’s for sure.”
The first two legs of the match were shared, then Muramatsu missed his one chance to go ahead and Taylor raced through the set with a first maximum and 98 check-out.
The Japanese qualifier actually managed to win a leg in every set, but Taylor was in total control.
Another 180 followed and an emphatic 11 darter took him to the verge of victory and despite missing two match darts, he won it on D5
He still missed 13 darts at doubles and that will be a little concern for Taylor, but job done, home for Christmas and the World Championship bid is certainly active for ‘The Power’!
And Newton put in a really professional shift.
But he was made to work by Belgium’s Kurt van de Rijk and the 3-0 scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.
Van de Rijk actually averaged more than his Team Unicorn opponent – 94 to Newton’s 92 but Newton hit the doubles when it mattered to set up a 2nd Round showdown with Justin Pipe next Thursday at the Alexandra Palace.
“He played well,” said Newton. “But that was a really good test and will hopefully set me up for the rest of the tournament. It was always about that winning double and getting through and now I can relax a little and enjoy the World Championship.”
He won the opening set with a terrific 108 finish and despite a 13 darter and a 12 darter with a 136 check-out from the Belgian, Newton held firm to win the second in a deciding leg.
And set three went the distance as well…..The Fleetwood ace finally hit a couple of 180s but he missed two darts for the match and then another two went begging, before clinching the win on D16.
But his title tilt is under way and that’s all that matters.
Also on Friday night Justin Pipe came from a set down to beat Australian Sean Reed 3-1….and Co Stompe overcame youngster Michael Smith by 3 sets to nil.
Friday results:
Justin Pipe 3-1 Sean Reed
Co Stompe 3-0 Michael Smith
Wes Newton 3-0 Kurt van der Rijck
Phil Taylor 3-0 Haruki Muramatsu
Saturday 1st round schedule – 1pm:
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
Ronnie Baxter v Steve Farmer
Robert Thornton v Ian White
Alan Tabern v Dietmar Burger/Christian Perez
7pm:
Steve Beaton v Magnus Caris
Vincent van der Voort v Mark Hylton
Paul Nicholson v Mensur Suljovic
Denis Ovens v Kevin Munch/Lee Choon Peng
By STUART PYKE in London
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC